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234 questions answered by Sh. Mustafa Umar. Search in your own words or pick a topic.
Can I take medicine that has ingredients derived from a pig, like gelatin or heparin?
All ingredients derived from a pig such as gelatin are forbidden to consume. However, when there is a medical need, then porcine-derived components (such as porcine gelatin or porcine heparin) are allowed only if: 1) there is no alternative medicine easily available 2) the illness is causing severe discomfort or disfunction in your body 3) it is not an experimental medicine which is unsure to work.
Can I make a vow to Allah? Does making a vow increases my chances of getting what I want? Should I give some charity if I get something I have wanted?
It is fine to make a vow to Allah to do something like fast one extra day or give some money in charity. This can help you follow through on doing a good deed so you take it more seriously. Conditional vows are disliked because it is like making a deal with Allah: “If you cure me I will give $1000 to the poor”. Conditional vows were criticized by the Prophet. They do not change Allah’s decision and do not help you increase the chances of Allah doing what you ask for. If something good happens, the only specific thing the Prophet recommended is to perform prostration (sajdat ush-shukr).
If I enter the masjid one or two minutes before the prayer begins, should I remain standing or sit down?
There is no benefit in remaining standing without praying.
Can I sterilize my pet by neutering or spaying them?
This is allowed if it is done for some benefit to either the owner or the animal.
Can I listen to the Qur’an in the background while doing other things like cooking, exercising, driving, sleeping, or doing homework?
Yes, if it is a low-attention task. Do not have a long conversation, read a book, or watch a movie with the Qur’an playing in the background because that would be like ignoring the Qur’an for something else since those things require high-attention.
Can a woman travel without a family member if the journey is safe?
Yes, if she travels where she will be around a group of people like in an airport or airplane and not alone like driving through a desert.
Should I tell my parents and family members if I just accepted Islam and am afraid they will harm me? How do I pray, fast, and avoid pork if I am hiding my Islam from family?
You may keep your Islam a secret from your parents and family if you are quite sure they will make your life very difficult. You may pray through gestures or by leaving the house. If you are pressured to eat while fasting, you can eat to the extent that you have to and it will not break your fast. If you are strongly pressured or forced to eat pork, you may do that to the extent it is needed.
Do I have to admit my past sins to my family or a prospective spouse?
It is normally forbidden to talk about your past sins. If someone asks you, you should refuse to answer. If they insist, you can speak in general by admitting that you have made mistakes in your life that you regret but have asked Allah for forgiveness and reassure the person that those mistakes are unlikely to affect your future.
Can I use an item that contains pig hair like a paintbrush or shave brush?
It is better to avoid using products with pig hair unless there is a good reason and the substitute items are significantly inferior.
Is genetic engineering allowed in Islam?
Changing the genes in the cell of a plant, animal or human is allowed if it is for a good purpose, such as treating a hereditary disease. However, modifying genetic material for purposes of eugenics or to produce hybrid organisms for entertainment/curiosity is prohibited. There is a potential unknown long-term harm associated with such modification that could affect the environment, crops, animals, and humans and therefore all genetically modified organisms should be labeled as such so that people know what they are buying.
Why did the Prophet allow his Companions to seek blessings from his hair and leftover water? Should that practice continue after his death?
The Prophet allowed this because they loved him and because their dedication to him would serve the purpose of making his enemies know how strong and dedicated the Muslim community was. Some Companions continued the practice of honoring his relics and seeking blessings from them, but there are no more authentically attributed things from him remaining today.
Should I celebrate the birth (mawlid) of the Prophet Muhammad?
The Prophet Muhammad changed the world for the better, so his coming into existence is worth celebrating. However, neither the Prophet nor his Companions celebrated the day of his birth or of any other messenger. Therefore, Muslims should avoid this practice. Having a gathering to discuss any aspect of the life of the Prophet is virtuous, regardless of what name is given to the gathering, but if someone thinks that an act is part of Islam, but it is not, then it is a sinful innovation.
What is Sufism (Tasawwuf)? Is it in line with Islam?
Sufism (Tasawwuf) is a an emphasis on spirituality or mysticism through certain practices like wearing specific type of clothing, minimizing worldly possessions, and doing additional worship in a particular way. It may or may not be associated with a spiritual mentor or a movement (tariqah) like the Qadiri, Naqshabandi or Chisti. Some types of Sufism are completely in line with Islam, others are questionable, and yet others are outright deviance away from Islam. If the practice of Sufism strictly conforms with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad then it is fine, such as that practiced by early Sufi scholars like Harith Al-Muhasibi (d. 243/857), Junayd Al-Baghdadi (d. 298/910), Abdul Qadir Jaylani (d. 561/1166).
Can I keep a pet like a bird or a cat?
It is fine to keep an animal in your house as a pet as long as you take proper care of it.
Can I commit suicide if I am in extreme pain or will be raped?
Suicide is forbidden. There is no justification for it, even if you are in pain or fear torture. Try to take medicine to ease the pain and if you fear torture or rape, try to fight off your attacker. If you die in the process you will be a martyr.
What is the punishment for adultery and fornication? Why does it seem so harsh?
Any type of physical relationship outside of marriage is prohibited because it harms the family system which, in turn, harms society. Also, falsely accusing someone of adultery or fornication is the worst type of slander and destroys families and harms society. For that reason, Allah has put a strict penalty of eighty lashes for false accusations of adultery or fornication. In order to prove the claim, four eyewitnesses must testify. So the punishment of one hundred lashes for fornication and the death penalty for adultery can only occur if four witnesses testify that they witnessed the act, otherwise each person who makes a claim will be whipped eighty times. Having four witnesses testify is almost impossible and has never happened in history. Therefore, the ‘punishment’ for adultery and fornication is more of a hypothetical deterrent which is virtually impossible to occur. It rather seems that the ‘punishment’ or deterrent is not actually for adultery or fornication, but rather for false accusations of such an act.
Can I attend religious festivals like Christmas or Diwali? What about giving gifts to my friends who celebrate those? Can I say “Merry Christmas”?
A Muslim must not ‘celebrate’ the festival of another religion. Attending a Christmas or Diwali event usually means ‘celebrating’ that holiday. However, if someone needs to attend for a particular reason, such as visiting Christian family members who gather on that day or for a business social meeting, then it is fine if not attending would cause harm. It should be made clear that you are only attending for that reason and do not celebrate that festival.
How do I discard old copies of the Qur’an or papers with verses on them?
The paper or book should either be burnt, shredded, buried in the ground, or thrown into the sea.
Can I use brushes made from pig (boar) hair?
Eating a pig is forbidden but using some parts of its body is fine.
Can I kill insects?
Insects are living things and are creations of Allah, so it is disliked (makruh) to kill them unnecessarily. However, if they are harming you or your things by getting into your food or your clothes then it is fine to kill them.
Can a Muslim perform cosmetic surgery or make a permanent tattoo on a non-Muslim?
These things are not only unlawful for Muslims. So a Muslim surgeon or artist should refer the person to someone else to get that done.
Can non-combatants be killed when in a state of war?
The killing of innocent civilians or non-combatants is not allowed. Even in a state of legitimate war, it is prohibited to attack old people, women, children, hermits, businessmen, disabled people, and the ill. It does not matter what religion they are.
Can I vote for a non-Muslim candidate in an election?
Voting in an election is permissible [mubah] by default. It is neither an obligation nor is it prohibited. If you vote, you should have the intention to improve society for the better, or minimize harm, in accordance with what Allah wants. It does not matter whether the candidate is Muslim or not. Whoever is more likely to bring about greater good, from the Islamic definition of what is ‘good’, should be preferred.
Am I sinful for having really bad thoughts?
It is not sinful when bad thoughts come to your mind, no matter how bad they are. If you stop yourself from acting on those thoughts, you will be rewarded. For example, if you thought of committing murder, but weren’t actually going to do it, you are not sinful.
Can I kill an animal to end its suffering?
Animals are living beings and creations of Allah. Killing an animal is forbidden unless it is for a human to benefit from it [by eating it or using it’s body] or for some other good reason. Nonetheless, since an animal is not like a human in free will or moral responsibility, you may end its life if it there is a need such as if it is harming you, or it is injured, sick, or suffering for some other reason.
Is it necessary for me to find a Muslim physician/doctor?
In worldly transactions such as business, science, and medicine, Muslims and non-Muslims are almost the same since it is their knowledge and expertise which are of value. You should search for the most qualified physician, the same way you would search for the most qualified and knowledgeable driver if you needed to get somewhere.
These answers are general guidance. For your own situation, ask a scholar.