Question

Are Muslims allowed to go to the pub even if they do not drink, especially if it is work related?

Answer

By Shaykh Salim Ghiza

No. In Islam places which are allocated for the use of Haram activities are forbidden to enter even if it is not for consuming the Haram. The reason for this is that these are places which gain the wrath and the curse of Allah and also as a Muslim one must ensure that their outwardly actions do not lead others to doubt them (Read More…)

Question

Animal Rennet. When is it acceptable to consume and for whom. Is the rennet of an animal killed with a bolt to the head Halal? Is this the same ruling as for slaughter? (Read Answer…)

Question

The purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to achieve Taqwa, i.e. to become God-fearing and pious etc. But I fast year in, year out and see no change… especially when Ramadan is over! So what can I do to help become and remain a God-fearing and pious person? (Read Answer…)

By Sajid Iqbal

1. What is the Qur’an?

The Quran is the Muslim holy book, ya’ know like the Bible is to Christianity and the Torah is to Judaism. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through the Angel Gabriel. The Quran is the record of the exact words revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Did you know that the Quran is a ‘first-person’ revelation, and is the authentic expression of the divine voice of the Almighty? The Quran offers a revelation from the point of view of God Himself.(Read More…)

Question

What are the rulings of ghusl(bath)? When does it become compulsory to have ghusl and how should one perform it?

Answer

Answer by Shaykh Salim Ghisa

Under Islamic Shariah law bathing has three obligations (Fardh) and there are 5 reasons according to the Hanafi Madhab (school of thought) that make it obligatory. (Read more…)

Question

I am addicted to watching porn on the net. I know it’s wrong but can’t stop myself. What can I do to overcome my porn addiction?

Answer

Answer by Shaykh Salim Ghisa

This unfortunately has become a big problem intoday’s society. The simple reason is that the Haram is simply too easily accessible.

The reason why Islam promotes a segregated society where men and women are adequately covered and separated, is so that there is as least temptation as possible. (Read More…)

Question

To what extent are Muslims allowed to take part in non–Islamic festivals such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc?

For example, can Muslims give Christmas cards to non-Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends or attend Christmas dinners if invited by the local church?

Answer

There are different rulings for Muslims participating in non Islamic festivals and this depends on whether the festival is a religious cultural or habitual practice. (Read More & comment…)

It is to be noted that logging in and browsing pornographic sites is forbidden because a Muslim is always commanded to lower his/her gaze, let alone give a loose rein to his/her hungry eye to look at the private parts of others. More importantly, such acts cause psychological and social injury. Besides, many people in general, and teenagers in particular, waste their lives and times doing things which Allah forbade them to do. A Muslim is always commanded to spend his time in useful things, cherish what benefits him in the present, plan for his coming days, and always make the reward of the Hereafter his/her top priority. (more…)

1. What are the two major religious celebrations in Islam, and what important events do they correlate with?

Eid ul-Fitr correlates with Ramadan, Eid ul-Adha correlates with the Hajj

2.What is the Hajj, and how many Muslims participate every year?

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and around two million Muslims participate every year. (more…)

Question: WHY SHOULD ONE MAKE QURBANI?

According to Tirmizi Shareef and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hazrat Ayesha (radi Allahu anha) stated that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The son of Adam does not do any action on the day of Qurbani which is more pleasing to Allah than the sacrifice of animals; and he will come on the day of Qiyamah with it’s hairs, horns and hooves (for reward); and the blood (of the sacrificed animal) certainly reaches Allah before it falls down to the ground. So make yourselves purified therewith.”

In another Hadith related in Sunan Ibn Majah, Zaid bin Arqam reported that the companions of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) asked, “Oh! Messenger of Allah, what is this sacrifice?” He said, “The way of your forefather (Prophet) Ibrahim (alaihis salaam).” They said, “What is for us therein, O! Messenger of Allah?” He said, “There is one reward for every hair.” They said, “For wool, O! Messenger of Allah?” He said, “There is one reward for every strand of wool!” (more…)

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Is it necessary to wear niqab? Isn’t the hijab enough?

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and CompassionateIn the West, and for those in difficult social or family situations in Muslim lands, what is emphasized and unquestionable is the obligation for women to wear hijab.As for wearing niqab (the face veil), this was considered necessary (wajib) by the classical scholars of the Hanafi school, as well as other Sunni schools such as the Shafi`i school. However, this is often not reasonably possible to follow for many people, given their personal, family, or social situation. (more…)

Most of us are fortunate enough to be born in a Muslim family. However, it is common knowledge that those who get something after working hard for it appreciate and value it so much more then those who get something automatically. It is for this reason why, most of us do not value, appreciate or even know what it means to be a Muslim.

(Read more & comment)

By Alveena Salim

Easy! Check him out…he must be the fittest boy I’ve ever seen… lets sit closer to get a better view … Gwaan check him out, but don’t be too obvious…

Sound familiar? Its one of the most common topic of conversations in most schools and colleges, “We’re only looking, it’s minor” is the defensive response of most. However the question arises “Is it really not that much of a big deal?”

(read more & comment)

With the significant increase in pre-marital relationships in the last 30 years amongst our Muslim brother and sisters, it does seem as if most of us no longer have any shame. One just needs to visit their local shopping centre, cinema or library to see the significant increase in unmarried Muslim couples. We have an increase in Romeo’s roaming the streets, happily driving around the block all day long looking for girls and an increase in melodramatic Juliet’s who’ll “just die if they don’t end up with their man”.

(read more & comment)

Over the last year about FIVE Sheesha restaurants opened in my local town, so is smoking Sheesha allowed?

In the name of Allah the most Beneficent and Merciful.

Smoking Sheesha or Huqqa carries a ruling depending upon the ingredients. If the ingredients is only sweet smelling flavoured fruits then the ruling is Makrooh (preferably disliked). If the ingredients have harmful ingredients then the ruling would start at Makrooh Tahrimi (reprehensible) to Haram (forbidden). This depends upon the harm that it may cause the human body. (Read More…)

Simple questions with simple Answers relating to the Prophet of Islam.

“Mohammed is the guy Muslims worship innit?”

No. Muslims do not worship Muhammad (peace be upon him) or any other prophets. Muslims believe in all prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad(pbuh) was the last of the prophets. They believe that God alone is to be worshipped, not any human being. (Read More…)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Brother in Islam, it gives us a great pleasure to receive your question. Islam, the true religion of Allah, encourages Muslims to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. May Allah bless your efforts in pursuit of knowledge! (more…)

In the first place, we would like to stress that the study of world history would show that Islam and terrorism are extreme opposites. There is no meeting point between Islam and terrorism as practiced by terrorist groups in different parts of the world.

Terrorism involves the indiscriminate use of force to achieve certain objectives. Whereas, the basis of national and international relations in Islam is peace and not war as falsely claimed by some people. (more…)

Could you please clarify the Islamic stance on violence and aggression? Also, please shed light on the relation between Muslims and non-Muslims. (more…)

I hope you scholars will help me get rid of these confusions I have been having since the Sept 11 incident, especially as regards some Qur’anic verses. These verses totally contradict what Muslims say that their religion calls for peace and denounces violence. Mind you, though not a Muslim, but I don’t hate Muslims. (more…)

1. Question: I have questions about Zuhr and Maghrib times. (a)Does Zuhr time begin at noon? (b)Is Maghrib time defined by the astronomical calculation of sunset, which is when the sun’s disk just goes below horizon. I see that there is enough light on the horizon at calculated sunset time? (Sep 21,1997) (more…)

Answered by Dr. G.F. Haddad

Is `aqida the differentiator between Muslim and kafir?

Question

What is the criteria laid for AQEEDAH: is aqeedah the differentiator between a Muslim and kafir, and if one does not consider the world of grave as reality what is the ruling on that person because he thinks that its not 100% sure? (more…)

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. (more…)

Q.How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. (more…)

why is polygamy allowed in Islam?

Definition of Polygamy

Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited. Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife? (more…)