Question I was having a conversation with an older brother and he brought up the point that when I greet him I should not embrace him. In America, especially among the African-American Muslims there is a common practice of greeting each other (the brothers that is) and doing a practice common in Egypt of touch […]
Archives for January 1999
Should One Spend More Than the Obligatory Zaka’h in God’s Ways?
Question Can you please clarify what is meant when the Qur’an enjoins us to establish regular charity. Is this referring to Zaka’h? If so, since I only pay Zaka’h once a year then it does not seem very regular to me. Answer The obligatory spending prescribed by Islam for a Muslim, under normal circumstances is […]
The Status of Sunnah & Witr Prayers, The Time for Fajr & Maghrib and the Allowance of Combining Prayers
Question I have a few more questions on prayers, which I would be grateful if you can clarify. What is the status of non-fardh1 prayers i.e. prayers other than e.g. the 3 compulsory rak`ahs of Maghrib. Some people say these are optional and yet other people say that one is committing a sin by not offering […]
Why Should the Dead be Buried Quickly?
Question I’m a revert to Islam and I want to know that why does a deceased Muslim have to be buried within 24 hours? Answer The Prophet (pbuh) has not stated any fixed time within which a corpse should be buried after death, but there is a narrative related to the death of Talha ibn […]
Will People Enter Paradise Only on the Basis of God’s Mercy
Question This particular hadith was sent to me recently but I feel as though there are parts of it missing. could you please let me know what the complete hadith is or whether this is the complete hadith. Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhiallaho anho): Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The deeds of anyone of […]
Can Zaka’h be Spent for Mosques?
Question A friend of mine in USA had given part of his Zaka’hto a mosque that is being used by black and newly converted Muslims. Another mutual friend informed him that Zaka’his not for use for construction and upkeep of mosques. Whatever knowledge I had favored the second view. Now the friend in USA has […]
Can We Attend a Christian Mass for a Socially Justifiable Cause?
Question Is it haraam to attend (but not participate) in a Christian mass (my situation being a mass given in support of a charity)? Masha’Allah if you can reply asap, and with Qur’an and Hadith etc. Answer Declaring something Haraam (prohibited) is the authority only of the prophet of God. No one can declare anything […]
On Investing in Stocks
Question I found your site useful and informative. Could you elaborate more on the question of Investing in Stocks etc. Stock prices also can vary tremendously, sometimes within a few hours (both up and down). Will it be considered a form of gambling? Answer Investing in stocks cannot be termed as gambling. Gambling, or more […]
The Qur’an on the Finality of Prophethood
Question I recently came across a website that was propagating the movement of Mr. Ghulam Ahmed – the Ahmadis. There was a particular argument of their’s, which I had hoped to get some more counter arguments for. This was the particular statements concerning the finality of the prophet. What is the evidence from the Quran […]
Information Regarding the Creation
Question And He created seven skies (heavens) in two days, and taught each sky its duties. And He adorned the nearest sky (or: the sky of this world) with lamps (stars)… (Fussilat 41: 12). It states that God took two days to create the heavens. I have always held the belief of “KunFayakun“, (i.e. be […]