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234 questions answered by Sh. Mustafa Umar. Search in your own words or pick a topic.
Can I do IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)? Can the eggs or embryos be frozen? Can unused embryos be discarded?
IVF is allowed only if: 1) the sperm comes from the husband, the egg comes from the wife, and there is no third party such as a surrogate mother involved 2) implantation occurs while the couple are still married (so no divorce or death has taken place) 3) there is a good reason for this procedure such as the couple not being able to have children naturally. The extracted eggs or fertilized embryos may be frozen for a medical reason or to preserve future fertility, but cannot be given to anyone else. Since multiple embryos are made through the IVF procedure, they may be discarded (but cannot be given to someone else to use) because they do not have the status of human life (which occurs after at least forty days after pregnancy).
Can I defer/delay paying part of the dower (mahr) for marriage?
It is fine for a man to defer (called muakhkhar) some or all of the dower (mahr) he will gift to his wife for marriage. However, this remains a debt and must be paid regardless of death or divorce. It is forbidden to make a conditional-upon-divorce dower (also called muakhkhar), as some cultures do, to pressure the husband to not divorce his wife.
How can all people be descendants of Adam and Hawwaa (Eve) if marriage between siblings is forbidden?
We do not know for sure but it is most likely that it was allowed due to necessity, since there were no other people on earth at that time. After that, marriage between them was prohibited, and remained like that ever since.
If a child or adult drinks breastmilk do they become unmarriageable (mahram)?
If a child drinks the breastmilk of a woman she becomes his milk-mother and any other child who drinks from her becomes his milk-sister. They can never be married and do not have to observe dresscode guidelines with them. The age of breastfeeding is up to two years and does not establish any milk relationship after that.
Do I have to financially support my parents and other family members?
Your first priority is supporting your wife and minor children, even if you are poor. If you are female, you must support your children but not your husband. You must also support your parents and grandparents only if they are in need and you are wealthy. This responsibility is whether you are the son or daughter, and whether your parents are Muslim or not. If you have brothers or sisters, the responsibility of supporting your parents and grandparents must be shared equally between siblings according to their ability. If your mother is married, then her husband will be primarily responsible for supporting her. If her husband is poor, you will support your mother by giving to her husband. If she is not married, then you must support her if she is poor and you can afford to.
Does my spouse have to serve or visit my parents?
You have an obligation to take care of your own parents and treat them well. Your spouse does not have this obligation, even if you all live together in the same house. He or she should try to be nice to your parents as much as possible but there is no defined responsibility they have towards your parents, the way you do.
What types of birth control can a couple use? Is permanent contraception or sterilization allowed?
Any type of reversible birth control is allowed such as a condom, birth control pill, or an intrauterine progesterone system as long as it is not harmful to your health. Although having children is encouraged in Islam, a good reason to postpone having children might be because one spouse is studying and wants to complete their education, is living in another country and wants to return first, or has major marital issues and is not sure whether this marriage is likely to last. Bad reasons for using birth control would be thinking that children are a financial burden and would case poverty or that children are a general burden and make it difficult to travel or go out with friends.
These answers are general guidance. For your own situation, ask a scholar.