Disposal of Placenta other Childbirth Issues

Q: After child birth what has to be done with the placenta etc? How do we calculate the seventh day? What has to be done on the seventh day?

A: 1) The placenta must be burnt or buried. 2) The seventh day is calculated from the day of birth. The day baby is born is counted as day one. So if a baby is born on Monday during the day, the seventh day will be Sunday till before Maghrib. 3) On the seventh day the baby’s hair should be shaved, aqeeqa should be made, and parents should begin calling the child by the name chosen for it. Weigh the hair and give the value of the hair in Sadqah.

Wakeel for a Revert Lady

Q: Who should be a wakeel for a revert Muslim woman who is marrying a Muslim man? All her relatives are non-Muslims. Can any Muslim be her representative for nikah at the musjid?

A: A non-Muslim cannot act as a wakeel in nikah for a Muslim woman. In this case, any responsible Muslim male should act as her representative for nikah in the Musjid.

Learning Karate

Q: Is it permissible to learn karate?

A: It is permissible to learn this form or martial arts as a means of self defence. However, when learning these martial arts and self-defence techniques, observe restrictions of Shariah, such as dressing without exposing the satr, not training during salah times thereby missing the salaah, avoiding forms of protocol and deference observed by proponents of this art such as bowing, kneeling, etc.

Parents' Consent for a Marriage

Q: I would like to know what are the primary requirements of nikah? Is the parents’ consent compulsory?

A: In the Shaafi’ math-hab a girl cannot marry without the consent of her father, or the consent of her wali in the absence of her father. Such a marriage is null and void. In the Hanafi math-hab a nikah without the permission of the father is valid on three conditions: 1) The boy must be capable of supporting the girl he intends marrying. This means that he be capable of providing the mehr (dowry) which she is entitled to, and monthly maintenance. 2) The boy must possess Islamic morals or character that is similar to or better than that of the girl. 3) If the girl is a Muslim by birth, the boy too, must be a Muslim by birth. If these conditions are not met then even in the Hanafi math-hab such a nikah is not valid without the consent of the wali. Furthermore, even if these conditions are met, for moral, spiritual, and social success, the parents’ consent and approval are absolutely necessary. By marrying outside the fold of this approval our youth are destroying their morals and weakening their Islamic foundations.

Working for a Liqour Store

Q: Can a person work for a bottle (liqour) store making safes?

A: No, this is haraam. The Holy Quran prohibits us to aid and abet sin.

Why is Music Haraam?

Q: Why is music haraam? Why is percussion acceptable? What about other instruments? What make them unacceptable?

A: Music is haraam for the following reasons: Allah Ta’ala says in The Holy Quran:
"And among mankind there are those who purchase idle talk (i.e. music and singing) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and make it (the path of Allah or the verses of the Quran) a mockery; for such people there will be a humiliating punishment (in the fire of hell).” (Surah Luqman, verse 6) Imaam Ibni Katheer (rahmatullahi alayhi) states in the Tafseer (commentary) of this verse: “Hazrat Abdullah Bin Masood (radhiyallahu anhu) said on oath that lahwal-hadeeth or ‘idle talk’ means music. He repeated this thrice. Hazrat Ibni Abbaas, Jaabir, Ikramah, Saeed Bin Jubair, Mujaahid, Makhool, Amr Bin Shuaib and Ali Bin Bazheema (radhiyallahu anhum) have all given the same commentary on this verse as Hazrat Abdullah Bin Masood (radhiyallahu anhu). Hazrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullahi alayhi) states that this (verse) was revealed for the condemnation of musical instruments. Qurtubi, Bagawi, Khaazin, Mudaarak, Mazhari and many other works on tafseer have mentioned the same. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Allah sent me as a Mercy and Guidance to the world. And My Lord has commanded me to eradicate musical instruments and singing….” (Ahmed and Tabarani) From this we learn that instruments that are designed to created musical sounds and melodies are not permissible in the Shariah of Islam, regardless of what those instruments are and how they work. Percussion is the striking together of two objects to produce sound or noise. In this regard, if the sound resembles a musical melody and the purpose of the exercise is to produce musical sounds then that too, is unacceptable and abominable (makrooh), though the sin will not be as severe as using actual musical instruments

Transferring Deceased to Another Country

Q: If the body of a deceased is being transferred to another country, should the ghusl and janaaza be done in the country of death or in the country of destination?

A: Firstly, a person should be buried in the country where he has died. It is not permissible to transport the body long distances because this causes a delay in the burial, and the hadith forbids delaying the janaaza. However, if such transportation of a deceased becomes necessary then the ghusl and kafan should be done before transporting the body. Thereafter the Janaaza Salah should be read in the country of destination, before proceeding to the cemetery.

Women Doing Business During Juma

Q: Can Muslim women do business during Juma salah?

A: Muslim women should not be doing business at any time, let alone the time of Jumu’ah. According to the hadith it is among the signs of Qiyaamah that women will aid their husbands in business and trade. Muslim businessman should rather close their businesses at the time of Jumu’ah instead of leaving their womenfolk to run the business. In view of today’s escalating crime wave, it is also in the interests of our physical and emotional well-being not to leave our womenfolk alone in businesses.

Labour and Missed Salaah

Q: A woman was in labour and missed 5 salaah. She was bleeding all the time since before birth. Is this nifaas or must she make qadha of the salaah?

A: This is not nifaas but istihaadha. Hence the lady has to make qadha of the salaah that she missed.

Females and Wet Dreams

Q: Is ghusl (a bath) necessary on a female if she experiences a wet dream?

A: Yes, it is compulsory on her to take a bath.

Solar Heated Pool

Q: We are buying a house with a solar heated pool. Please inform me if it is haraam to swim in a solar heated pool.

A: It is not haraam to use solar-heated water, but avoiding this is better. The mention of this in the hadith was purely for medical reasons. The prohibition in the hadith does not mean haraam; it is instead a discouragement. Some Ulema applied this hadith to countries around the equator where there is excessive heat, Arabia being one of them. Today the scientists have discovered the harm of too much exposure to ultra violet rays of the sun. This harm was referred to by Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) when he discouraged the Ummat from using water heated by the rays of the sun.

Removing Spider Veins

Q: Can you please tell me if having spider veins removed from your legs is haraam? The veins are not threatening to one’s life.

A: Removing spider veins is totally permissible.

Two Wives and Inheritance

Q: If a man who has two wives dies, do they inherit one eighth each, or must you divide one eighth between the two wives?

A: The one eighth must be shared between two or more wives.

Applying Perfume Before Ihram

Q: Is it permissible to apply itr (perfume) before putting on ihram for haj and umrah?

A: Yes, this is permissible. In fact, it is part of the etiquette and aadaab of Ihram to do so.

Wife Wearing Tight Clothes in the House

Q: Is it permissible for a wife to wear tight fitting tops and pants in the house on the husband's command?

A: This is permissible on two conditions: 1) She must not dress like this in front of her children no matter what age they may be; 2) She must not appear like this in front of other males who may enter the home or who live there, whether they are mehram or non-mehram.

Marriage Without an Aalim/Sheikh

Q: If nikah is made between a couple without the presence of a Moulana, what would the procedure be?

A: Due to discrepancies that have arisen in the past, we do not allow marriages without the presence of a Moulana or Imam. Any couple wishing to get married must seek the assistance of a Moulana or Imam.

Killing a Lame Horse

Q: One owns a horse which is lame and weak. Vet suggests we put the horse down. Is it allowed?

A: If the horse is not going through any visible pain or torture then you are not allowed to kill it. Care for it to the best of your ability and let it die its natural death.

Viewing DVDs

Q: Is it permissible to view a CD or DVD on the Chechen struggle?

A: CD’s or DVD’s of this nature display pictures and images of human beings, which are not permissible to view. We are of the view that pictures appearing on computer or TV screens fall under the Shar’ee definition of photography. When Rasollullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) conquered Makka, he ordered the Sahaaba to wash off pictures that were painted on the walls inside the Holy Ka’ba. This is proof that pictures on flat surfaces are also not allowed, contrary to the belief that only three-dimensional images have been prohibited in the hadith. While we fully understand that Muslims would love to view the losses inflicted on the enemy by the Mujaahideen, let us in the interests of our Islamic principles, confine ourselves to the printed stories.

Not Attending Juma

Q: If a person does not attend Juma salah, is his income halaal?

A: Presumably you are referring to one who trades during the time of Jumu’ah and thus misses his Jumu’ah. If this is so then know that one who misses Jumu’ah has committed a major sin. According to some Ulema a male who misses three Juma’s in a row for no valid reason, loses his iemaan. Though his income will be halaal, there is no blessing and good luck in such an income. It is devoid of barakaat, and such a business is doomed to failure.

Extended Guarantee on Items

Q: Is it permissible when purchasing an item to purchase an extended guarantee? Normally the guarantee is for one year, but pay an extra R250 (for example) and it will be extended to 3 years.

A: If this amount is included in the overall price, which amount is paid at the time of collecting the item, then such a deal is permissible. In other words, at the time of taking possession of the article, one pays a single price inclusive of all costs related to the article. If this extra amount is paid separately or after taking the possession of the article then it is not lawful.

Bungy-Jumping

Q: Is it permissible to go bungy-jumping?

A: This is not permissible. Any act which endangers one's life and does not bring any worldly or religious benefit, is not allowed. If due to a mishap, should one die while bungy-jumping, it will be tantamount to suicide, hence from the very outset this act should be forbidden.

Istikhaara Salah and Dreams

Q: When a person performs isthikharah namaaz, how should one interpret the dream? Is there any colour or object that indicates acceptance? Must the dream be interpreted by a Maulana? If the person sees a dream the same night, does he continue reading the salaah on other nights?

A: In most cases, interpretation of the dream comes naturally to the person involved. After having made istikhara, one may wake up the next morning with a feeling of conviction, a positive feeling that you should go ahead with the proposed venture or idea. The feeling is obvious. At times one does not see any dream, but still gets up in the morning with this strong inclination. Sometimes one will need to have the dream interpreted by an Alim. One will see a very vivid dream and know exactly that in it lies the answer, but is unable to interpret the dream. For this you need to refer to an Alim who has the ability to interpret dreams.
There is no particular colour or object to look for. However, if one has a dream in which a specific colour is seen, the interpreter may explain the significance or connotation. As for the last part of your question, once you have received your answer, either in a dream or from an interpreter, you discontinue the istikhaara salaah, even if it's after just one night.

Fiance's Terrible History

Q: A friend of mine is getting married and her fiancé has a terrible history, and there is suspicion that he continues to take part in these haraam activities. Is it my duty to notify her, anonymously of course?

A: It is definitely your Islamic duty to inform her of whatever information you have about the person she intends marrying, especially since she is courting that person as well. This is not gheebat or scandalising, provided your information is correct.

Issuing Medical Certificates Under False Pretences

Q: I am a medical practitioner and we usually issue medical certificates to sick patients. Sometimes patients are not really ill, but seek a certificate out of fear for losing their jobs should they fail to produce one as reason for their absence. Is it permissible for us doctors to issue a certificate under false pretences?

A: To certify a patient as ill when he is not really so, is tantamount to giving false evidence. No matter what valid reason an employee has for staying out of work, the doctor cannot falsely certify him or her as sick. The doctor will have to explain the Islamic and moral position to the patient and kindly refuse. If money is taken in lieu of such untrue certificates then the sin is even bigger.

Wudhu with a Nose-Ring

Q: Can one make wudhu with a nose-ring?

A: One may make wudhu while wearing the nose-ring, but it must be rotated so that water gets into the hole. If the ring is so tight that water will not reach beneath it then the rings must compulsorily be removed, otherwise your wudhu will not be valid.

Wudhu with Earrings

Q: Can one make wudhu with earrings on? If I do will my wudhu be accepted?

A: Wudhu could be made while wearing ear-rings because it is not compulsory to wash the ears in wudhu. However, when making a faradh ghusl, if the ear-rings are loose then you may wear them but make sure the water goes into the holes. Otherwise, it is necessary to remove the ear-rings for ghusl.