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234 questions answered by Sh. Mustafa Umar. Search in your own words or pick a topic.
Can I say salaam while in the bathroom?
The phrase of greeting “as-salaamu alaykum” may be considered dhikr (remembrance) of Allah because it contains the name of Allah “as-salaam”, so some scholars said it is disliked to say this when in the bathroom which contains a toilet. However, this is only disliked when you are actively relieving yourself and not just sitting there waiting.
Can I reveal my private parts to a doctor, nurse, or someone who will remove pubic hair with laser or waxing?
It is forbidden to show your private parts to another person unless it is your spouse or you have a genuine need. A doctor or nurse usually will only want to see your private parts due to a genuine need. Showing your private parts to a qualified practitioner who removes pubic hair for you will only be allowed if doing the procedure yourself through shaving/waxing will cause physical harm such as severe skin conditions, chronic painful ingrown hairs, severe folliculitis, or some other painful condition.
Can I wipe over my socks for wudu?
Yes, if you meet all the conditions:
Can I recite Qur’an during my menstrual period?
Yes, from memory.
Can a woman enter a mosque during her menstrual period?
Yes, when there is a good reason to do so such as attending a class or important event that is not available elsewhere.
Can a woman who is menstruating enter a masjid (mosque)?
Since she does not need to pray she should only enter if there is a good reason like attending a class that cannot be found elsewhere. The masjid is defined as the usual prayer area that has been designated for the five daily prayers (not the overflow areas).
Do I have to clean off baby vomit or urine before praying?
Yes, you must clean off all vomit and urine from your body, clothes, and place of prayer, even if it came from a baby. However, if the vomit was less than a mouthful which it could have kept in its mouth if it didn’t spit it out then it is only recommended to clean it off, but is not required.
Do I need to have wudu if I have a Qur’an app on my phone or computer?
A computer, laptop, or phone does not become a mushaf (copy of the Qur’an) simply by having an app in its memory. Therefore, you can hold that device and take it into the bathroom, which you cannot do with a mushaf. However, when the app is open on the screen, you are not allowed to touch the Arabic verses of the Qur’an with your finger or mouse pointer, but you can touch other parts of the page or the English translation. This is similar to touching a piece of paper with some verses of the Qur’an on it where you must not touch the Arabic verses but can touch the translation or margins of the page.
Can I wipe over my shoes when making wudu?
Shoes are like thick socks if they cover up to your ankle. You may wipe over them only if you wore them after making wudu, you did not take them off after wiping, and you wore them for less than a day. Refer to the rules for when and how to wipe over socks during wudu for more details.
What should I do if I keep thinking I might have lost my wudu through urine drops leaking out?
If you only ‘feel’ that something is coming out but nothing actually comes out, then ignore it. However, if sometimes it is actually a urine drop and other times it is not, then this can make your life difficult, especially if this occurs more than once or twice a day. Since urine leakage usually happens within an hour after urinating, make sure to urinate at least an hour before you need to make wudu. Try to pray at the beginning of the prayer time so that you do not end up having to urinate and then don’t have an hour to complete your prayer.
Do I have to bathe (ghusl) again if more semen came out from an ejaculation that happened in the past?
No, you do not have to bathe again since only the semen which comes out during ejaculation requires bathing (ghusl).
How do I pray if I keep losing my wudu through urine drops, chronic gas, or vaginal bleeding outside my period?
Wait to see if this condition lasts until the end of the prayer time. Pray at the end of the time by making wudu and ignoring the leak, gas, or bleeding. Now that you waited until the end of the time once, you do not need to wait again. Make wudu for every prayer time. Your wudu breaks at the end of the prayer time so you can make it for zuhr before noon.
Must I remove nail polish, paint, glue, lotion, oil, hair dye, a ring, a watch, or makeup before performing wudu?
If anything prevents water from reaching a place that needs to be washed then wudu or ghusl will be invalid. For example, glue, paint, or nail polish are all examples of something which prevents water from reaching underneath. Things like oil, lotion, hair dye, and petroleum jelly does form a barrier but does not usually prevent water from reaching the skin or hair. Some makeup consists of a perceptible barrier which prevents water and other types of makeup does not.
Can I urinate while standing? Can I use a public urinal?
It is disliked to stand and urinate unless you have some excuse like an injury. It is forbidden to leave urine on the seat or to not clean yourself afterwards. It is also disliked to not seclude yourself when urinating as is done in most public urinals.
These answers are general guidance. For your own situation, ask a scholar.