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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Death Committees

Q: Are death committees halaal? Basically a death commitee involves a certain number of people. They all put in a monies and then when somebody passes away the money is used to pay for a funeral. Would this set up be considerd halal?

A: This type of fund must operate under the following conditions:
1) The 100 pounds each one contributes must be considered as lillah.
2) The money collected must be handed to one or more people who will be the representatives of all donors. These must be trustable and reliable people who are accountable for the money in their possession. To ensure protection of the funds it must be stipulated that they deposit the money in a bank, preferably an Islamic bank.
3) As long as the money is in their possession it will remain the ownership of the donors. That means that at any stage if any family wants their money back, it must be given to them.
4) The representatives can be mandated to spend the money on the funeral costs of the families who donated.

An alternative to the above is that each family donates 500 pounds. Take the total sum and purchase a property and then make the property waqf. The beneficiaries of the income of this waqf will be the 100 families who contributed money. A condition to be added here is that when these 100 families and their descendants are no more living then the beneficiaries of the waqf will be the poor. If this option is chosen then obtain further details and finality from your local ulema.
And Allah Knows Best

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie and Mufti Siraj Desai

Eating at Non-Muslim Takeaway Franchises

Q: I find many Muslims eating at places like Nando's Greenacres and Kentucky Gelvandale (in Port Elizabeth, South Africa). I approached a friend who in turn told me that both have Halaal Certificates. How are certificates issued to these outlets?

A:
We strongly encourage muslims to purchase their chickens from a Muslim-owned outlet. We encourage you and like minded Muslims to question those who issue these certificates.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Halaal Status of Anca Chickens

Q: I heard Anca chickens is now Haraam. Is this true?
A: Regarding Anca chickens in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, the Aalim who is an inspector of the plant assured us that everything is under control and all Anca chickens are Halaal. We will accept this unless someone brings proof to the contrary.
Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Dua for Starting Fasting

Q: What is the dua of sehri and what niyat should a person make when starting the fast in Ramadaan?

A:
There is no special Du'aa to begin the fast. You can make the Niyyat in your own language e.g. O Allah I am fasting tomorrow for you. So make it easy for me and accept it from me. The same Niyyat can be made in Arabic:

اَللّهُمَّ اَصُوْمُ غَداً لَّكَ ـ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِىْ و تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّىْ

ALLAHUMMA ASOOMU GHADALLAK. FAYASSIRHU LEE WA TAQABBALHU MINNEE

The Du'aa at the time of Iftaar is as follows:

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ

ALLAAHUMMA LAKA SUMTU WA ALAA RIZQIKA AFTARTU.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Deoband Link

Q: I want to know if you follow the Deobandi way or not?

A: Yes, we follow the Deobandi Maslak, Alhamdulillah.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Marriage in Iddat

Q: I have been married to a woman for about a year, but afew weeks ago she told me that even though she was seperated from her previous husband for over 5 years he actually gave her talaaq (divorce) 2 months before our nikah (marriage), in which case she still was in her iddah. What is the ruling regarding our nikah and will I be held accountable by the Almighty on the day of judgement, as I was told at the time that she recieved the talaaqs 5 years ago?
A: The couple should renew their nikah immediately, after which they cancontinue living as husband and wife. The husband will not be held responsible as he acted on the wife's word, which is allowed in Shariah under such circumstances.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Monday, August 24, 2009

Inheritance Calculator

Q: Is the following inheritance calculator authentic?
http://www.islamicsoftware.org/irth/irth.html

A: We came across a few mistakes on this inheritance calculator and other inheritance programmes. After using these programmes, ensure that you verify the answers with Ulema (authentic Islamic scholars). Better still, send your inheritance problem directly to the Ulema for a solution.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Four Rakaat Batches of Taraweeh

Q: Can ladies read 4 rakaats taraaweeh with one salaam?

A: Hanafis can read Taraaweeh Salaah in batches of four Rakaats. The Shaafi’ees cannot read the Taraweeh Salaah in batches of four Rakaa’ats. They must perform it in batches of two Rakaa’ats.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Boy as Mahram

Q: My 13 year old son is not baaligh (Islamically mature) yet and he will be going for Umrah. Will I, his mother, be allowed to go with him while he acts as a Mahram?

A:
A boy who is not Baaligh cannot serve as a Mahram on journey. (Fataawa Al Hindiyyah V1 P219)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Using Interest for Building

Q: I have been having my kitchen extension built. The non-Muslim builder told me the roof window which opens is not available anywhere, so he fitted a window which doesn't open. All monies for window and all building work was paid by me in one total amount as agreed on contract. After a few weeks of fitting I found window which does open, but the builder told me I have to pay again for the new openable window. My question: The old window was paid, fitted, but not used by me at all, and a few weeks later changed and fitted for a new openable window paid by me again. Can I re-imburse the amount for the old window with interest money because I did not use it and the builder removed it and took it away for his use?

A:
You cannot use interest money to reimburse the cost of the old window. You can claim the money from the builder if possible, for he is the one who took the window.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Intercourse in Iddah

Q: Is it haram (prohibited) for spouses to have intercourse during Iddah (waiting period after divorce)?

A:
If it is an Iddah of Talaaq Raj'i (a revocable Talaaq [divorce], one or two), intercourse will be permissible and it will revoke the Talaaq. She will become his wife again and no sin is incurred. If three Talaaqs were issued then intercourse will not be permissible.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Jewellery and Hajj

Q: I do not have sufficient money to go for Hajj. However, if I cash in my invesments/jewellery I will have enough. Is Hajj compulsory on me?

A:
Yes, Haj will be compulsory on you. (Hidaya Awwal page 232) You will have to cash in your investments and liquidate your jewellery to makeup the money for Hajj.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Bleeding After Ten Days in Menstruation

Q: I had my haidh (menstrual bleeding) and had been clean (no bleeding) for 10 days. I started bleeding again. I understand that the normal clean period is 15 days. If i'm still bleeding do I count 15 days and say that it is haidh or do I call this period Istihaadha?

A:
A clean period that separates two haidh should be at least 15 days. You had a clean period of only 10 days. Therefore in Shariah this is counted as a continuation of the previous bleeding. If you have a fixed monthly cycle then consider that amount as your last haidh, and all subsequent bleeding, including the bleeding you are currently experiencing, will be istihaadha.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Drug Addiction

Q: I am a drug addict. I have been taking pain killers (12-14 capsules) everyday for the past 3 years regularly and am fed up with it. I want to quit it but am not able to do so. Whenever I make up my mind to quit it my body starts aching, my heads starts exploding, my whole body starts aching uncontrollably and I go into severe depression due to which I have to take those capsules again so that I can get up on my feet and work. I am not able to get up from the bed in the morning if I don't take them.I just want to know if somebody has done black magic on me or what?

A:
This is not the effect of black magic but the effect of the Nafs. You need to do two things to rectify the situation:
(1) Take admission at a rehab centre near you. At the rehab centre you will be weaned of the drugs that you are consuming. If there is no rehab available nearby then go to any hospital and find out of they have a detox department. There they will give you medicine and treatment to detoxify your system and remove the effect of the drugs. You must do this urgently.
(2) Establish a spiritual contact with a Shaykh (Murshid). Explain to him your condition. Through his guidance, Du'aas and Zikr it will become much easier upon you to leave this habit. By doing this you will secure the help of Allah Ta'aala.
Be regular on Salaah, recitation of the Qur'aan Shareef, etc. Frequent the talks of the Ulama. Build up your Taqwa and Inshaa Allah Ta'aala you will eventually be cured from this malady.
May Allah Ta'aala make it easy upon you. Aameen.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Period of Iddah

Q: What is the time period of Iddah after divorce?

A
: For a woman who experiences Haidh (monthly menses) the Iddah (waiting period before marriage is allowed) is three Haidh. For a woman who does not experience Haidh it is three months and for a pregnant woman it is delivery of her baby.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Monday, August 17, 2009

Two Wives and Children Inheritance

Q: I am an only son from my father's first wife. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters from my father and his second wife. What are the shares when my father passes away?
A: Assuming the husband has died and the only heirs are his two wives in his marriage at the time of his death, as well as his one son from his first wife and three daughters and two sons from his second wife, the shares will be as follows:
One eight (12,5%) will be shared between the two wives while the remainder will be shared between the two wives while the remainder will be shared between the sons and daughters on a 2:1 ratio i.e. the sons will get double the share of the daughters.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Profits in Islamic Banking

Q: Is keeping money and getting profit in Islamic banking allowed?

A: If the Islamic Bank is certified by reputable Ulama and it invests the money in a Halaal (lawful) business venture, then the profits received from such an investment are Halaal.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Divorce by SMS

Q: Does talaaq (divorce) by sms (mobile texting) take place?

A:
If the husband confirms the sms of Talaaq, the Talaaq will take place.
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Three Divorces and Studies

Q: A female student studying at a girls' madressa was given talaaq (divorce) in this manner: 'I give you talaaq, talaaq, talaaq'. The husband also mentioned: 'You must get out', and threw her clothes out. How many talaaqs take place? Can she come and study during her iddat? She is 3 months pregnant?

A:
Three Talaaqs has taken place. (Fataawa Darul Uloom, Azeezul Fataawa V4 P256) She will not become Halaal for her husband until she remarries someone else and gets divorced or the (second) husband dies. A woman in Iddah is not even allowed to go for Haj or Umrah. She will definitely not be allowed to leave her home to study. (Fataawa Al Hindiyyah)
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Difference Between Nabi and Rasool

Q: What's the difference between a Nabi and a Rasool?

A: Imam Fakhruddeen Raazi has explained the differences between a Rasool (prophet) and a Nabi (messenger). A Rasool is one who has performed miracles and has received a new Divine book. He establishes a new code of law (Shar'iah) and abrogates the previous code of law and book. He has also visibly seen the angel that comes with the Divine message, and the Rasool is commanded to invite the people towards the Deen.

A Nabi is one who is not given a new book, but rather establishes the book which was revealed to the Rasool before him. He does not abrogate the book and the code of law which was in vogue before him. He sees the angel in a dream or the Rasool of the time informs him that he has been chosen as a Nabi. (Tafseer Raazi V1 p3212, Mafaateehul Ghayb V23 p43)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Wudhu Breaking and Walking in Front of Musallis

Q: Agar namaz ki doran wazoo toot jaye aur admi saf ki centre main ho, to wo kaise baher nikle? Namaziun ki agey se guzer sakta hai ya nahi? Wo pehli saf main hai aur masjid full hai.
Translation: If one's Wudhu breaks during the course of a Salaah (in congregation) and one is in the centre of the Saff (row), how should he get out? Can he pass in front of the other people praying Salaah? This person is in the first Saff and the Musjid is full.

A: Agar wo namaaziyo ke darmiyaan se istarah nikalsakte ke un (NAMAZIYO) ke seene qibla se na phere to nikle. (Fataawa Mahmoodiya, volume 7 page 143) Agar ye na hosake to namaaziyo ke saamne se guzer sakte. (Tahtaawi alaa Maraaqil Falaah, page 188)
Translation: If the person can pass through the congregation in such a way that he does not turn their chests away from the Qibla, he should do so. (Fataawa Mahmoodiya, volume 7 page 143) If this is not possible, he can walk in from of those praying. (Tahtaawi alaa Maraaqil Falaah, page 188)

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Homosexual Relations and Marriage to Cousins

Q: One of my friends heard on a program that according to Hanafi scholl of thought, if two boy cousions had sexual relations with each other, they cannot marry with each other's sisters. My friend told me the program mentioned that if a person gets to know after the marriage that his wife is the sister of this person who had sexual relations with him, immediately the nikah (marriage) will be broken. Is this correct?

A:
If two male cousins had sexual relations with one another they can get married to each others' sisters.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Umrah for a Child

Q: One of my friends has went for Umrah and is presently in Madinah. He intends to go to Makkah for umrah. He has a young daughter 7 or 8 years old and intends to take her to Makkah but leave her at the hotel and not take her for Umrah. What is the Islamic ruling?

A:
Although Umrah is not compulsory on a child, it will be best to also let her complete the rites of Umrah. Once a mother lifted her child towards Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and asked: Is there Haj for this child? Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) answered: Yes, but the reward (Thawaab) is for you. (Umdatul Qaari V16 P135) Some scholars are of the opinion that reward is also recorded for the minor. Since the minor and parents benefit from the Ibaadat of the minor, it will be best for the child to complete the Umrah.
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Eating Past Sehri Time

Q: I wake up for sehri, then prepare the food to eat, and while eating the baby wakes up and I need to make her sleep or give her milk. What if the time passes the sehri cut off. Are we allowed to eat, or do we need to fast with empty stomachs?

A:
If a person eats after the time of Sehri has ended, the fast for that day will not be valid regardless of the reason for missing sehri. You should adjust your time to accommodate your Sehri and feeding the baby or compulsorily fast without sehri. It is not permissible to miss a fast just because one did not have sehri, nor is it permissible to eat after dawn. If one of these two acts occur, you will have to keep qadhaa for that day.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ramadaan Fasting Tablet

Q: Is the Ramadan Fasting Tablet halal?
A: According to the Halal.com Magazine site you've cited, the product contains no chemicals or animal by-products. Therefore it should be Halal-suitable.
The product purports to be certified Halal by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) but we could not locate it on IFANCA's website. However, the South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) has a working relationship with IFANCA.
Therefore, it would be advisable to contact SANHA (if you are in South Africa) to verify the ingredients or IFANCA if you are in America or another part of the world.
Muhammad Badsha
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Husband and Four Children

Q: What does a Muslim husband inherit from his Muslim wife if they have four children (who are no longer dependants) and she did not leave a will?

A: If the wife dies and there were four children, then whether the children were male or female, the husband will get 25% of the estate after burial expenses and any bequest.
a. If the children are sons they will share the remainder equally.
b. If the children were daughters, they will share the remainder equally.
c. If the children were sons and daughters, the sons will inherit double the share of the daughters.
The above three situations (a, b, c) will apply if the deceased left no surviving parents. If there were parents, the shares of the children will be different.

Window Islamic Banking

Q: Is it permissable to work with window Islamic banking?

A: It is permissible to work with window Islamic banking on condition that the Islamic bank one is working for is certified by reputable Ulama (Islamic scholars).

Concept of Soul-mates

Q: Is it possible that one would recognise your soul-mate by just seeing them? ]
A: The concept of a soul-mate is not recognized in Islam. Rather, it is a Western concept. Many youth labour under the false concept of soul-mate recognition, and in the process become intimate with females. This is totally Haraam (prohibited). The closest to the soul-mate concept we find in the Shariah is the Nikah (marriage) of a person; one’s spouse is written down in Taqdeer (predestination).

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Meaning of Hajre Aswad

Q: What does Hajre Aswad mean?

A:
Hajre Aswad means 'the black stone'. The Ahaadeeth mention that this stone came from Jannah and originally it was whiter than milk in colour. The sins of man blackened it. (Tirmidhi V3 P226)
It is also mentioned that a persons sins are forgiven when touching it. (Saheeh ibni Khuzaymah V4 P218)
This stone is placed at the corner of the Ka'bah Shareef.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

15th Shabaan and Qadha

Q: Will I be able to fast my day in payback fast/Qadha and reap the rewards for fasting on the 15th of Shabaan simultaneously?

A: If you keep a Qadhaa fast (payback fast) on the 15 Sha'baan it will be Qadhaa and you will not reap the benefit of the 15 Sha'baan fast.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Travelling and Qasr in Next Town

Q: If i am undertaking a journey and the time for salaah has set in eg. zuhr, may Idrive to the next town and read qasr salaah?

A:
Yes, you may drive to the next town and read Qasar Salaah . If youmissed that Zuhr Salaah you need only make two Rakaats Qadhaa (FataawaHindiya V1 P141)
If driving to the next town will cause you to miss the Salaah, then that is not allowed and you should read the Salaah immediately.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Fish and Other Seafood

Q: Can you explain why only fish is Halaal among sea food?

A: A Hadeeth specifies two things that can be eaten without slaughtering. One of them is fish. This Hadeeth specifically mentions the word 'As Samak' which means fish. The Hanafi jurists, citing this Hadeeth, say that only that is Halaal for consumption from the sea which falls under the category of As Samak. This discussion is lengthy and technical and can be found in the Arabic books of Fiqh. The above is the gist of the discussion. (Raddul Muhtaar V26 P193, Kashful Khifaa V1 P59, Al Mabsoot of Imam Sarakhsi V11 P398)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Alqama bin Wa'il

Q: We have a dispute in our class of rijal and we would like your advice. Was 'Alqama bin Wa'il in his mother's womb when his father Wa'il bin Hujr died? Or was it Abdul Jabbar bin Wa'il who was in his mother's womb when his father (Wa'il bin Hujr) died?

A:
There are both opinions in the Kitabs on this issue. The Riwaayat in Abu Dawood indicates the Abdul Jabbaar narrated from his father. Most Historians are of the opinion that Alqamah narrated from the father and not Abdul Jabbaar. Some say that he narrated from his father Mursalan. The stronger inclination is that Abdul Jabbaar was in the womb of the mother at the time of his father's death.
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Check the following Kitabs:
1) At Ta'reekhul Kabeer
2) At Tabaqaatul Kubraa
3) Al Kaashif Fee Ma'rifati Man Lahu Riwaayatun Fil Kutubis Sittah
4) Tahdheebul Asmaa
5) Tahdheebut Tahdheeb
6) Thiqaat ibni Habbaan
7) Siyar A'alaamin Nubalaa'

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Dream About Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam

I had a dream about the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam but I was part of his janaaza namaaz (funeral prayer).

The dream was about just before fajr and it started where people were telling me the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam passed away. Some lady was saying he should be buried in Jordan but I can't remember much about that part. That passed and then the people said the janaaza will begin. The janaaza namaaz was in a huge courtyard or something but it was a bit in the olden days because things looked a bit old. There were news cameras as well because this was the biggest janaaza namaaz ever.

Then the call was made and the namaaz began. I didn't start right away as I looked at the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam's janaaza which was wrapped in kafan (shroud). I could not see his mubarak (blessed) face but I began to cry to think that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam's body is lying right in front of me and so close to me.

That's when i woke up for fajr.

Could you please tell me what does this dream signify? Or if there is any significance?

A:
Seeing Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in a dream in a deceased form or his Janaazah, indicates neglect in matters of Deen and Sunnah. Such a person should immediately resort to Taubah and should become more firm and mindful of The Sunnah.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Husband's Second Wife

Q: My husband married another woman without my knowledge. It is now two years since I found out. What can I do to accept this situation and make it a bit easier on me and my sons?

A:
Tell yourself that in the Qur'aan Allah Ta'aala has in His infinite knowledge and wisdom, granted the male permission of keeping more than one wife.The word Islam means 'total submission' to the laws of Allah. The complete Shari'ah must be wholeheartedly and unequivocally accepted to qualify as a true Muslim. An integral part of the Shari'ah is the permissibility of a man taking more than one wife. By marrying the other lady and thereby making her Halaal for himself, he has saved himself from sin, and this is commendable. Resign yourself to the fact that the other lady was written in his Taqdeer and no one could have prevented that. Don’t let this bother you. Ensure that he fulfils your and her rights and do not harbour ill feelings against him or her. Do not discuss your negative feelings with your sons. Encourage them to accept the decision of their father. By you encouraging them and speaking well of their father and his decision to remarry, gradually you will also become at ease.
May Allah Ta'aala make it easy for you and the children, grant you contentment, peace of mind and tranquillity. Aameen.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Naats (Nasheeds) and Singing

Q: Does naat (praises of Allah and His Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) recitation not resemble singing, with reference to your answer on singing and dancing being haraam?

A:
That answer does not include the recital of Na'at. In that answer singing refers to western songs which are usually immoral, vulgar, obscene, etc. It refers to the pop songs, rap, etc of the sinners and non Muslims.
The praises of Allah Ta'aala and His Rasool (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is an Ibaadat and was also done by the Sahaabah (Radhiyallaahu Anhum).

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Dripping Urine Problem

Q: I have a problem of excess urine. After urinating, drops of urine keep comes out till an hour and also few drops of urine come out if I try to control urine for a long time and all these urine drops come out without my knowledge, I only knew about it when I look at my private part. Because of this I put separate piece of cloth in my underwear all the time. I am having deep trouble in performing Salat because of this illness.

In the past, 1 hour 15 minutes before prayer time I used to go to the toilet and after urinating I put separate cloth in my underwear so it can suck the urine drops and after 1 hour when the prayer time comes I remove the filthy cloth from my underwear and perform Wudhu and go to the Mosque. But in few incidents when I reached home from Mosque and looks at my private part I saw drops of urine coming out. This makes me very distrubed as I do not know when the urine drops comes out, whether during Salat or on my way to home and if they comes during Salat then my Salat will also be invalid and it also makes the Mosque ground filthy as well.

I am not an excused person (Mazoor) as I have enough time to perform Salat in my home individually without being disturbed by my urine problem as time taken in performing Salat alone takes less time then in performing in Mosque.

Is it possible for me to perform Salat individually because of my urine problem? And if it is allowed then how can I perform Salat of Jumma and Eid?

Three more questions I want to ask regarding Ghusl (purification bath). I know that Ghusl has three compulsory steps (i.e. puting water in mouth, nose and rest of body parts) and I want to ask if Ghusl was obligatory over me and I started Ghusl by putting water on my body and only some part of my body was wet then urine drops come out or I broke wind, so in both cases do I have to only put water in the dry part of my body and mouth and nose only and my Ghusl will be valid, or do I have to start putting water again to my wet body parts then to rest of body, mouth and nose?

Second question is that after urinating when drops of urine were coming out and I go for Ghusl and perform its compulsory steps then will my Ghusl be valid? Remember drops of urine were coming out since beginning till end of my Ghusl.

Third question is what breaks Ghusl?

I am very troubled by this issue.

A:
Since you are not a ma’zhoor (excused person) and since there is time enough for you to offer at least the four faradh of salaah, we advise that you offer only the faradh salaah in the musjid and read the sunan at home, till you recover from this problem. For the sunnan you shall have to make a fresh wudhu. If there is any doubt as regards urine flowing during the faradh salaah, it will be a cautionary measure to repeat wudhu and the faradh rakaats.
Do not be concerned about soiling the musjid, for a tissue paper placed in the underwear will absorb any drops that may flow. In fact, even without a tissue, urine drops will not fall onto the ground if one is wearing underwear. However, you shall need to change your underclothing regularly.

For Jumu’ah salah, follow the same advice given above. Only offer the faradh in the musjid. If you arrive early and feel the need to repeat wudhu, do this before the khutba begins. Here too, if you feel strongly that drops had emerged during the Jumu’ah salaah, then repeat four rakaats faradh of thuhr upon returning home, because thuhr is the substitute for Jumu’ah salaah. Also note that you must only act when you have strong doubts. Doubts that are not strong must be ignored.
For Eid salaah, if you feel wudhu has broken and there is no facility to make wudhu then you are allowed to make tayammum.

Answer to the question 1 and 2 regarding ghusl:
Flowing of urine drops does not break ghusl nor does it disrupt the completion of ghusl. So in the cases you described, simply carry on with your bath as normal. However, when you have finished your ghusl, make a fresh wudhu because the drops break wudhu. They do not break ghusl.

As regards factors that break ghusl, these are:

Sexual intercourse even if no semen was discharged.
Discharge of semen in a wet dream (ihtilaam)

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Men Shaving Hair on the Legs

Q: Is trimming or shaving of hair on the legs allowed for Muslim men?

A: It is permissible to remove the hair from the chest, etc. there is no sin in this. However, it is advisable not to do so. It was not the sunnah of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to shave the chest.
And Allah knows best. (Al-Fatawwal Hindiyyah)

Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Wife Wanting Anal Sex

Q: I am married for the last one year, but I am having a problem with my wife. My wife wants me to have anal sex with her. She says that it's fun and all her friends are doing it. But I really don't know what should I do. Do you think I should try anal sex?

A:
Anal sex is totally prohibited in Islam. It is counted among the major sins. The vagina has been created for sexual gratification and not the anus. Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: Accursed is that person who enters the anus of his wife. (Abu Dawood). He narrates another Hadeeth: Allah will not look at that person (with mercy) who has anal sex with his wife. (Ibni Maajah)
A person who commits this Haraam act will be accursed and will deprive himself of the mercy of Allah.
May Allah Ta'aala save the Ummat from this forbidden act. Aameen.

Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Athaan for Salaah Before Musjid

Q: If a person is reading salaat on his own as he will be leaving on a journey in a town where there is a Masjid, e.g Zawaal is at 12:02 and the masjid azaan is at 13:00 and he wants to perform his salaat at 12:05 as he will be embarking on a journey, does he need to give azaan?

A:
Calling out the Adhaan and Iqaamat for a person performing Salaah at home or anywhere else alone is Mustahabb (preferable). This will apply if the Adhaan and the Iqaamat in the locality has already taken place. The reason for this is that the Adhaan and Iqaamat of the locality suffices for all within that area. (Beheshti Zewar V11 P25)
In your case, it will be preferable to give the Adhaan, because the Adhaan in your locality has not yet taken place.
And Allah Knows Best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Rape and Salaah

Q: If a Muslim girl is raped (May Allah save all from this), and the time for salah is expiring, should she go to the police/doctor or must she read her salah 1st? But if she reads salah 1st then that will need her to make ghusl, which will erase all traces of blood and semen, which will make it difficult for the doctor/hospital/police.

A:
In this case she should make Tayammum and offer her Salaah quickly.After having being examined, she should then make Ghusl and repeat that Salaah.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Buying Bible, Psalms and Torah

Q: I wish to purchase the torah zaboor and injeel. Can I do this?
A: Before purchasing them, consider the following points:
a) The original books revealed by Allah Ta'aala to the respective messengers cannot be found anymore. The current books available are not in their original form, but have been changed and altered by man.
b) The final book which is the Qur'aan is our guidance. The Qur'aan has abrogated these previous books. Thus, there is absolutely no need to purchase and read the previous books, which, as previously mentioned, include many falsehoods.
c) Once Sayyidina Umar (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) came in the august presence of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with a copy of the Taurah and said: O Rasool of Allah! This is a copy of the Taurah. Sayyidina Umar started reading the Taurah and the face of Rasulullah started changing (he was becoming annoyed and angry). Sayyidina Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) noticed this and reproached Sayyidina Umar. When Sayyidina Umar saw the face of Rasulullah (filled with anger) he immediately said: "I seek refuge in Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Rasool. We are pleased with Allah as our Rabb, with Islam as our Deen and with Mohammed as a Nabi". Thereafter, admonishing the Sahaabah, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: I take an oath on that being in whose hands my life lies; if (Nabi) Moosa appears among you and you follow him and stop following me, you would deviate from the straight path. If he (Nabi Moosa) has to be alive and live during my prophet hood, (he would have no choice) but to follow me". (Sunan Ad Daarimi V1 P126). We learn from this narration that; there is no need to read the previous books, reading the previous books is a means of displeasure to Allah and His Rasool, If Nabi Moosa (Alayhis salaam) lived during the era of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam), he would have had no choice but to discard his Shari'ah and follow the Shari'ah and Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam).
d) There is no goodness in the previous books which cannot be found in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. The Qur'aan and Sunnah encompass all goodness of all previous Shari'ahs. Study the Qur'aan and Sunnah under expert guidance. By doing this, you will benefit greatly in this world and the hereafter, Inshaa Allah Ta'aala. Aameen.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Interest Money for Taxes

Q: Can we use interest money to pay for taxes and late penalties to SARS?

A: Yes, interest money can be used to pay for these revenues, mainly because much of these revenues go for the upliftment of the poor.
And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Crescent Lifestyle Travel Scheme

Q: Please comment on this group if it is ok to join. They make travelling cheaper for members. I hope to join so that one day Cresent Lifestyle may choose any of my family member for hajj or umrah. Then I can go with them paying for other family members cheaply.

A:
It is permissible to join this Global Alliance scheme. The benefits they grant you are regarded in Shariah as gifts or favours. These are totally halaal.
Mufti Siraj Desai

Three Talaaqs and Halaala

Q: Why is it in Islam a couple may not reconcile after 3 talaaqs (divorces), and why are they only allowed to reconcile after halaala (wife marries someone else, consummates the marriage and is then divorced or husband dies)?

A: Islam created talaaq to break a marriage. This was necessary because when a couple is incompatible then the need is to separate them, otherwise living together will be miserable. The separation comes through divorce as a necessity. The question then arose as to how many divorces should be implemented. Allah Ta’ala in his infinite Wisdom, ordained three divorces. This is simply to give the couple three chances of reconciliation. Had there been only one or two talaaq, then we could argue that our couples are not given enough chance to patch up their marriages. People make mistakes and utter divorce; so they need some chance to reconcile to undo their indiscretions. So Allah Ta’ala gave us three chances, which is very fair to both parties. Had there been more than three talaaq, then marriage would become a mockery, because husbands would give talaaq and revoke, give and revoke, and the wife’s life would become a misery.
Now once we’ve settled on three talaaq, the question arises: Why can’t they reconcile after three? The answer is that if a couple could reconcile after three talaaq, we would be faced with the same difficulty just mentioned. A man would divorce his wife three times, then reconcile. After six months, they have a fight, he divorces her three times. Then they reconcile again, and the process is repeated. The result of this fiasco would be reducing nikah to a mockery. Nikah would no longer remain sacred. The couple would no longer fear talaaq or divorce. But by creating a cut-off point of three talaaq, and then prohibiting reconciliation thereafter, Allah has sounded a warning to both husband and wife: “Don’t play around with divorce”! This serves as a great deterrent.
However, Allah also knew that couples married to each other for long, don’t forget each other in a hurry, and would definitely like to reconcile. While not allowing reconciliation after three for the above reason, there had to be another method of reconciliation, and that was the halaala. Since the halaala is a tedious process and one that a woman would not like to get involved in quickly, it serves as the perfect buffer between two marriages.
Reasons for halaala:
1. After living with another man, sometimes the wife appreciates her former husband.
2. In halaala the second husband must divorce her before she can come back to the first. Assuming the halaala comes about naturally, as is ordained by Shariah, the woman who is divorced for a second time might find it easier to go back to the first husband than to any other man.
3. There is a logical reason: When a woman married, she had the respite of three talaaq. When that ended, it will take another marriage to bring back that respite of three talaaq. In others words, it is only a nikah that can bring back three talaaq; obviously that nikah cannot be the nikah of the same husband, for we explained earlier that this would destroy the deterrent factor in halaala and would reduce nikah to a mockery. So it has to be nikah to someone else. And that someone else is the second (or third husband).
And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai
Second Answer by Moulana Yusuf Laher:
A. One of the great Ni'mats (gifts) of Allah Ta'aala upon the male is the permissibility of benefiting from a female after the performance of a Nikah. This is not Halaal for him before Nikah. It only becomes Halaal after Nikah. Expressing gratitude for this Divine gift, it is his duty to fulfil her rights and to avoid such things which will bar him from this gift. According to the law of the Taurah (the Shari'ah of Nabi Moosa Alayhis Salaam), if a person divorced a woman, he was allowed to remarry her until she does not get married to someone else. Once she marries someone else, she becomes Haraam on the first ex-husband forever.
Then came the law of the Injeel (the Shari'ah of Nabi Eesaa Alayhis Salaam). In this Shari'ah, Talaaq was completely banned. Once married, a person did not have the permission or right to divorce. They had to live as husband and wife till death, whether happily or unhappily. Thereafter came the final and noble Shari'ah of Nabi Mohammed (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). This Shari'ah is free from extremes, is balanced and applicable to all times. (The two previous Shari'ahs were according to the temperament and disposition of those nations.)
In our Shari'ah, if one Talaaq is issued, then the husband can take her back within the Iddat period without renewing the Nikah. If the Iddat period is expired or two Talaaqs were issued, he can take her back by renewing the Nikah. Remember that the Sunnah method is to issue one Talaaq at a time and not all three at once. The wisdom in this is that if for instance the Talaaq was issued in anger and annoyance and through the effects of Shaytaan, he now has time to cool off and reconsider and he can decide to hold on to this gift by taking her back in his Nikah. By issuing three Talaaqs, he himself has decided to remove this gift from his life. He has shown ingratitude to the Ni'mat of Allah Ta'aala. Thus, by her becoming Haraam for him until after she marries someone else and that person divorces her or dies, it is an eye-opener and atonement for him to teach him that he cannot abuse a divine Ni'mat and that he should not be callous with regard to someone's life and future. He has to realise that by callously issuing three Talaaqs, she will become Haraam upon him until she remarries and the second husband divorces her or dies. This is supposed to serve as a deterrent so that he can be careful in this regard. The womenfolk are also the servants of Allah. They also have rights and men are not allowed to do as they feel whenever they feel with regard to them. Looking after a wife and fulfilling her needs can be a means of entry to Jannah. Although issuing Talaaq is permissible, it has been described as the worst of all permissible things.
Also bear in mind that the second marriage of the lady must not be with the intent of Halaalah. If the second marriage is with the intention of Halaalah, such people will fall under the curse of the Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Ali (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) mentioned in Abu Dawood V2 P188.
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Facebook

Q: Please advice me regarding facebook. What about the husband who allows his wife to do this? What about women in purdah on facebook?

A: For a female to indulge in any activity that promotes herself to outsiders is not allowed. This is proven from many verses of Quran and Ahadeeth of our Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). For this reason a woman does not give athaan, khutba or lectures; she does not lead the salaah. Going onto facebook entails publicising oneself and interacting with other people. For a woman to do so, or for the husband to allow his wife to do this, is not permissible in Islam. Even a man who chats and communicates with females over facebook is committing a major sin.
Posting photographs of oneself on facebook is also not permissible We need to abstain from these indulgences that make our iemaan weak. Please pass this message on to our brothers and sisters and make them aware of the wrong in facebook and similar programs.
Mufti Siraj Desai