Caculating Child Maintenance

Q: How is maintenance calculated for one child?

A: The father has to pay the following expenses related to his children:

Food; necessary clothing and bedding according to the different seasons; medicine and treatment; madresa and school fees subject to his choice of madresa and school.

Since the above expenses vary from place to place, as well as time to time. The Shariah has not fixed a specific. It is left to the discretion of the parents.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Zakaat on Kruger Rand

Q: How does one calculate the zaakat on a Kruger Rand?

A: You need to ascertain the current value of the Kruger Rand and then calculate 2.5 percent of the value. That will be your zakaat. The value can be checked in local newspapers or from your local Ulema bodies. If you are unable to get the value, write back to us.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Days One Can't Fast

Q: What are the 5 days that you are not permitted to fast?

A: One is not allowed to fast on Eidul-Fitr, Eidul-Adh Haa (Bakri Eid) and 3 days after Eidul Adh-Haa. Five days in total.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Don't Know Dua e Qunoot

Q: I dont know the Dua Qunoot. Does my witr namaz count? What should I read in its place till I learn the dua?

A: If you don't know the dua-e-qunoot, you may read the dua 'rabbanaa aatina' till the end or you may recite 'allahummagh firlee' thrice or 'yaa rabbi' thrice.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and Approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Distributing Property in Lifetime

Q: I want to distribute my property between my husband, father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Is this permissible?

A: It is permissible to give away your property and belongings in your lifetime on condition that the motive behind this is not to deprive other heirs from their share of inheritance when one dies. You have not made mention of any children. If you do have children, then you shall have to first allocate to each of them equal shares from your property before giving others, or else they may be deprived of inheritance.

If you have no children then you can go ahead distributing your property to the people you mentioned.

You may distribute your property equally or you can give one more than the other. This is totally permissible.

We advise that whatever you give away in your lifetime should be put into writing. Draw up gift deeds wherein you will state the details of the property gifted, such as size, location, date of gift, etc. This document will also contain the signatures of those receiving the gift. It is preferable to have two witness to sign each document.

Another important condition for the validity of a gift is that the receipient or giftee must take possession of it. You will not be able to give away something but still retain ownership, use and possession of it till death. If the recipient does not take the gift into his or her possession, the gift will not be valid. That means that when you die the property that you had given away is actually still yours and will form part of your estate and will be inherited by all heirs in proportion to the shares allocated to them by Shariah.

Moulana Nazeem Moosagie

Checked and Approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Crayfish

Q: Is it permisible to eat crayfish?

A: In the Hanafi math-hab only fish among seafood is halaal. Crayfish is not a fish hence it will not be permissible for consumption.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Zakaat on Insurance Policies

Q: I read an article from Sanzaf that zakaat is payable on the lesser of the premiums versus the market value of the policy. Is this correct? My concern is that in the past I did not calculate my zakaat on in this manner; am I exempt from the past error because I was not aware of it?

A: It is our humble view that there is no zakaat on insurance policies because premiums that are paid into the policy are non-refundable. This means that these premiums have left one's ownership, so zakaat cannot be levied on such monies. You need to pay zakaat only on what is yours and in your possession. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that one would retreive that money in the future.

So I cannot understand how zakaat could be applied to premiums paid into an insurance policy.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Siraj Desai

Tilaawat of Quraan in English

Q: Can I make Tilawat of the Quraan in English?

A: Tilawaat of the Quran cannot be done in English. One must read the Arabic. You may read the English translation of the Quran but the reward for tilaawat will only be received by reading the Arabic.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Eidgaah Requirements

Q: What are the requirements and exclusions for holding Eid gaah (Musalla) on an open piece of land?

A: EIDGAH REQUIREMENTS

The sunnat Eidgah is that which is situated on the outskirts of the suburb. It won't matter if one or two houses are nearby, because the Eidgah of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was adjacent to the house of Katheer bin Sult (radhiyallahu anhu).

If possible a mimbar should be built at the Eidgah, or else one should be taken out when people go for the Salaah.

Eidgah cannot be held on a sports field or in a stadium, for these places are normally inside the town. Besides, these are places where many evils occur, hence it will be makrooh to have Eid salah at such a venue.

The above are the basic requirments to establish an Eidgah. In the Hanafi math-hab it is sunnat muakkada to offer the Eid salah at the Eidgah even if the Musjid is big enough to accommodate all the people. However, if weather does not permit this, then the Eid salaah will be performed in the musjid.

However in the Shaafi' math-hab it is better to read the Eid salaah in a musjid, unless the musjid is too small to accommodate everyone. Then they will also utilize the Eidgah.

Liabilities to Deduct in Zakaat

Q: What are all the liabilities and debts that I must include when calculating zakaat?

A: 1. Any debt that can be demanded immediately by the creditor, is deductible from one's assets when calculating zakaat. Hence, if one is paying off a loan or a debt by instalments, the one can only deduct the current instalments from one's assets, not the entire loan or debt. So if one is paying zakaat in Ramadaan, then the instalment that is due for that month will be deducted.

2. One will also deduct light account bill, telephone bill, cell phone bill (if on contract), rent payable for that month, grocery account if any, etc. In short, whatever is owed for the month that one is paying zakaat is deductible for zakaat purposes.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Islamic TV Channels

Q: Is it permissable to watch Islamic channels eg. Peace TV in Ramadaan?

A: Television, even Islamic programs, is not permissible because of the photography that is part of TV. Photos and pictures of people are haraam and not permissible. We advise that during Ramadaan, instead of watching TV, engage in recitation of Quran, thikr of Allah, durood, istighfaar and nafl salaah. In this way you will make your Ramadaan more beneficial. It is a waste of precious time to watch television.

May Allah Ta'ala give us understanding of Deen and the ability to do much worship in this month, aameen.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Disposing of Condom

Q: If a man uses a condom when having sex with his wife, what must be done with the najaasit (sperm) afterwards?

A: A condom must just be discarded after use.

Finger in Wife's Vagina

Q: Can a man put his finger in his wife's vagina?

A: It is permissible to insert thefinger into the vagina. Note that if this is done for sexual indulgence, the wife will have to make ghusl.

Finger in Wife's Anus

Q: Can a man put his finger in the anus of his wife?

A: It is haraam to put the finger into the anus.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Deduction Student Loan in Zakaat

Q: Can a student loan balance be deducted when calculating zakaat?

A: If the student loan is being paid in monthly instalments then one may only deduct the current instalments from one's assets when calculating zakaat. It won't be correct to deduct the entire loan. This rule applies to any loan that is paid off in monthly instalments.

And Allah Knows Best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Sajda Sahu in Nafl

Q: Is Sajda Sahu (prostration for a mistake in Salaah) for all Salaah like Nafl, etc or only for Fard?

A: Sajda sahu must be made in all prayers if a mistake occurs that warrants sajda sahu; in nafl, sunnat and faradh salaah.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Wakeel Taking Zakaat

Q: Can a poor, unfettered wakeel (deputised person) of zakat use the money for himself?

A: A wakeel cannot use the zakat on himself unless the person who appointed him to distribute the zakat clearly stated "do with it whatever you wish, or "utilize it as it you wish." This is actually what is meant by an "unfettered wakeel". If the giver of zakaat said to the wakeel: "distribute this zakat" or "give it out" then he cannot use it on himself. He may give the zakat to his poor minor children, his poor wife and poor baaligh children. However if he is rich then he can only give the zakat to his poor wife and poor baaligh children, not to his poor minor children. If the person told him to give the zakat to a particular person then he has to give it to that person specifically. (Raddul-Muhtaar, Ahsanul-Fataawa)

And Allah Knows Best

Moulana Naziem Moosagie

Checked and Approved: Mufti Siraj Desai

Zakaat on Money in a Bank

Q: How should I calculate Zakaat for cash in a bank? I was told the money has to be in teh bank for 12 months. What if I had R100.000 and I deposit and withdraw from last Ramadaan till now? On which amount do I calculate the Zakaat?

A: A rule to remember for zakaat is that once 12 Islamic months have passed over the money then whatever is in the bank or in savings at the point, is taxable with zakaat, regardless of whether you used from it or added to it during the course of the year. It is not necessary that you have the same amount of money at the end of the year as you had at the start of the year. So if for example you had 10,000 in the bank account at the start of the year, and during the course of the year you withdrew money from that account or deposited more money; you shall have to pay zakaat on whatever is left in that account, whether it is more or less than the original amount of 10,000.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Forced Marriage

Q: I am 26 year old girl and I was forced to get married to my cousin in Pakistan when I was 20 so that he can come to England and I was not happy with it. At the time of the nikkah (marriage) the molvi only asked me to recite six kalimas. He didn't ask for my permission if I want to get married to the guy or not. I stayed there for two weeks and I didn't have any physical relationship with my cousin. The purpose of this marriage was only to get him to England. It was clear in the family that when he comes here we will get a legal divorce. when I came back from Pakistan after the wedding I told the home office that I'm not happy with the marriage and they rejected his visa to come to England. Now its been six years and he still hasn't got the visa so far. I am stuck in this situation and its really stressful and having a negative impact on my life. Is my nikkah valid as I was never asked if I want to marry the guy and never had any physical relationship?

A: Since you were not happy to marry this person, nor was your permission asked, this nikaah was pending your permission. After the nikaah had been solemnised, neither did you give permission nor did you do anything that indicated your consent, such as going to live with the groom. You now state that you do not agree or consent to marry this boy, your nikaah is therefore, null and void.

And Allah Knows Best

Moulana Naziem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Zakaat on Business Fixtures and Fittings

Q: Do I have to pay zakaat on my businesses fixtures, fitting and computers?

A: There is no zakaat on fixtures, fittings, equipment, machinery, etc.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Age for Wearing Veil

Q: When does a girl start wearing a face veil?

A: It is advisable that a girl starts wearing the veil from the time she becomes baaligh (of puberty). However, when she is in her late teens and above, then it is necessary that she wears a veil for that is the age when her beauty is fully developed.

And Allah Ta'ala knows best.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Making and Selling Coffins

Q: I am considering opening up a business that manufactures coffins. Is it permissible as a Muslim to run this business? Am I right in assuming the same response could be used for running a taxi business that would commute people to church?

A: It will be permissible to manufacture and sell coffins, because the coffin itself is not haraam. There are times when a Muslim may be buried in a coffin; for example, if the ground in the cemetery is extremely soft and the grave keeps on collapsing; or the ground is very soggy and wet. Under these circumstances a coffin is allowed.

From this you will understand the difference between selling coffins and operating a taxi business to transport Christians to church. The latter, though permissible, is makrooh (i.e. not advised) because one is aiding non-Muslims in their acts of worship. Using the coffin is not a religious act of worship for Christians or other religions. Even people that don't subscribe to a religion, are buried in coffins. I, therefore, advise to avoid the second type of business.

And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Siraj Desai

Status of Umar radhiallahu anhu

Q: I was reading Bukhari, and I find Umar radhiallahu anhu changed so many Sharia laws such as muta, poetry in Musjid, and he even changed taraweeh. Explain why we follow such a man?

A: Do you know of the virtues mentioned by Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about Hazrat Umar?

The hadith states: "The Haqq flows from the tongue of Umar" and "If there was to be a Prophet after me,it would have been Umar". These sayings of Our Rasool (alayhis salaam) prove that Umar had vast knowledge and vision. Hazrat Umar was responsible for setting up one of the most effective and comprehensive systems of government, based on Quran and Sunnah; a system that today even the kuffar are learning from.

Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) did not "change" any Shariah laws. You are highly mistaken when you say "he changed so many Shariah Laws". As for Muta, it was only allowed for a short while then banned, right in the time of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He prohibited poetry that was not in conformity to Shariah, so again he did not do anything different to what The Messenger of Allah had done. There are numerous hadith on maintaining the respect of the Musjid.

Regarding Taraweeh, here too, he changed nothing. Taraweeh was started by Allah's Messenger. All Umar did was to fix a number of Rakaats behind one Imam. This was accepted by all the Sahaaba so it was not just the vision of Umar alone. Even Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) praised him and made dua for him when he saw people offering congregational Taraweeh in the Masaajid during the nights of Ramadaan.

Another hadith in Tirmizhi states: "Cling fast to my Sunnat and the sunnat of my rightly guided Caliphs after me." In this hadith it is clearly stated that Umar's sunnat has to be followed and is like the Sunnat of Allah's Messenger himself.

Why are you singling out Umar for this unwarranted criticism, when it was Hazrat Abubakr who compiled the Quran for the first time in book form, between two covers, and then Hazrat Uthman did the same. It was Hazrat Uthman who introduced the first athan of Jumu'ah outside the Musjid. These issues were not done by Allah's Messenger. So Umar is not alone in the introduction of important issues that affect the Ummat. If you start rejecting the practices and fatwas of the Sahaaba, you won't have any Deen left.

My advice to you is to stop reading Bukhari for you clearly don't understand the essence and reality of the ahadith in Bukhari. Rather go and sit in the company of a qualified Aalim and learn your Deen there. That will be safer and far easier.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Cannabis

Q: Is the ruling on cannabis (drug) same as alcohol?

A: Cannabis (marijuana etc.) is an intoxicant and has the same ruling as wine and alcohol as far as prohibition goes. Both are haraam and non-permissible. There is a hadith in Tirmizhi which states that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) prohibited every intoxicating substance. Therefore, cannabis is also haraam.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Zakaat on Immovable Property

Q: Is zakaat payable on fixed or immovable property?

A: Zakaat is not payable on fixed or immovable property. The income (if any) derived from them is Zakatable if the other conditions of Zakaat becoming compulsory are found.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Spotting in Menopause and Fasting

Q: I am 52 years old and went into menopause last year. I started to spot (brown) last night after Eshaa. This morning almost nothing. What do I do as I do not want to miss a fast unneccessarily?

A: You continue fasting until you see red/blood colored discharge. If that last for three days, then it is considered as haidh.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Bathing Naked

Q: Can I perform Ghusl naked in Bathroom? Do I need to cover the naval to below the private parts during Ghusl?

A: It is not necessary to cover the area between the navel and the knee during Ghusl if one cannot be seen by others. It is a higher level of modesty to cover this area even if one cannot be seen by others.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Cutting Hair In Ramadaan

Q: Can a male or female cut their hair during the month of Ramadaan while fasting?

A: A male is allowed to cut his hair at any time, whether it is during Ramadhaan or not. A female is not allowed to cut her hair at any time, whether Ramadhaan or not.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Making up for Missed Salaah

Q: If you have not made salaah for a few years and are now very commited for the past few months is there anything I should do to make up for it as I feel guilty and want to do the right thing?

A: First Taubah (repentance) should be made for previously neglecting Salaah. Make a note of the amount of Salaah missed and begin fulfilling those missed Salaah. Qadhaa (fulfilment of all the missed Salaah) is compulsory. If you are unable to recall the exact amount of Salaah missed, then an estimate will also be valid.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Performing Multiple Qadhaa

Q: Is it permissible to perform Qadhaa Salaah in the following manner: For instance at the time of Zhur, after performing your normal Zuhr salaah are you able to perform multiple Zuhr Qadhaa salaah one after the other?

A: Yes, this is permissible.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Jeans Promotion and Voucher

Q: Levis jeans are running a promotion that if you take any pair of old jeans and give it in to any Levis store. they will give the jeans away to charity and will give you a R200 voucher to spend on your next purchase from their store. Is this permissible according to Shariah?

A: To participate in this promotion and collect the gift voucher is totally permissible.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Fasting in First Trimester of Pregnancy

Q: If you in your first trimester of pregnancy, is it ok to fast? If not, do you pay fidyah and repay the fast missed?

A: Consult with your doctor as to whether you should fast during this time or not. If the doctor advises you not to fast, then you have to keep Qadhaa of the fasts missed. Fidyah will not suffice.
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Making up for Theft

Q: If I robbed people many years ago and feel guilty as I don't want them to take of my good deeds on the Day of Judgement, is there any sacrifices I should make besides making Tawbah (repentance)?

A: Besides making Taubah, you have to return the stolen items or the value to their respective owners. If you are not by the means to return the items, you have to seek their pardon for the items stolen. If you are by the means but cannot find a few of the people stolen from, give out the value of the stolen items on their behalf, without making an intention of reward (Thawaab) for yourself. If you are really sincere in your repentance, Allah will create a way for you to do the above.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Dream as Proof

Q: My phone was stolen in my own home. I had a dream that a specific guest who attended the function in my home stole it. The dream happened around the early hours of morning between 2 to 4 am. What is the meaning of this dream?

A: A dream is not proof that the particular person stole it. You have to compulsorily ignore the dream and save yourself from bad thoughts regarding that person, but you are allowed to investigate that person without firmly believing that he really took the phone.

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Bleeding after 13 Days

Q: I had my period for 10 days continuously. It then stopped for 3 days but on the 14th day I had bleeding again. What is this considered as?

A: If you have a previous cycle, then consider that cycle as your days of haidh for this month as well. If not, then count the 10 days as Haidh and the rest will be Istihaadha.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Spouses Bathing Together

Q: Can husband and wife take a bath together?

A: It is permissible for the husband and wife to bath together. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also bathed with his wife. (Saheeh Muslim V1 P176)

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Masturbation in Islam

Q: Is masturbation allowed in Islam?

A: Masturbation is forbidden in Islam. Sayyidina Ataa' was asked regarding this. He said that a group of people will be resurrected on Qiyaamah and their hands will be pregnant. It will be these people who had been doing this and did not repent. Their fault will be witnessed by everyone on Qiyaamah. Sayyidina Sa'eed ibni Jubayr says that Allah will punish those people who play with their private parts.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Cutting Hair While Fasting

Q: Can I get a hair cut while fasting?

A: Yes, you can take a haircut while fasting.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Water Coming Out After Ghusl

Q: After performing ghusl sometimes water comes out of my penis. It's very annoying because even though I do the ghusl a second time water still comes out. Do I hve to do ghusl again? What if blood comes out?

A: You do not have to repeat the Ghusl. If anything does come out, whether water or blood, Wudhu will break and not the Ghusl.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Aqeeqah for a Revert

Q: Must a revert to Islam make Aqiqa?

A: Aqeeqah is not compulsory. If the revert makes the Aqeeqah, it will be permissible.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Cutting nails While Fasting

Q: Can we cut our nails when we are fasting?

A: It is permissible to cut nails while fasting.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Man Waxing Chest

Q: Can a men who is muslim wax his chest hair? Is it haram?

A: It is permissible to remove the hair from the chest; there is no sin in this. However, it is advisable not to do so. It was not the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) to shave the chest. (Raddul Muhtaar V27 P34, Al Hindiyyah V5 P358) And Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Sex in Ramadaan

Q: Can I have sex in Ramadaan while fasting or after fasting with my wife?

A: To have sex with the wife during the day in Ramzaan while fasting is haraam. If one did this knowingly and while remembering the fast then the fast breaks and one qazaa plus 60 days kaffara become waajib. Kaffara means that after Ramadaan one must fast 60 days consecutively, one after the other, as a punishment for breaking the fast of Ramzaan. so the compensation for this is that one must fast one day as qazaa, and another 60 days as a penalty.

If one has sex forgetfully, then the fast will not break. Forgetfully means that when the man did this with his wife, he did not remember that we was fasting.

If you had sex with your wife, you must be honest with Allah Ta'ala. He knows what is in your heart. If you knew that you were fasting, but are saying that you had forgotten, then Allah knows the truth. We have mentioned the Islamic ruling above. It is now up to you to do what is right.

May Allah Ta'ala guide you and help you in your predicament, aameen.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Fasting Without Sehri

Q: Can we fast without eating anything? Will a glass of water do?

A: To fast without having any Sehri is permissible. However, having at least a glass of water will earn one the reward of Sehri.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Moirs Caramel Creme Dessert

Q: I would like to know if Moirs caramal creme dessert is halaal?

A: We have no knowledge of the halaal status of this product. Please refer your query to the South African National Halaal Authority. Their Helpline (for South Africa) is 0861 786 111.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Waiving Debt as Zakaat

Q: I gave my nephew a loan which he cannot repay.can I give it as zakaat? Must I inform him that it will be zakaat?

A: If you have other wealth on which you are paying Zakaat, then you cannot do this i.e. you cannot waive a debt with the intention of Zakaat.

If you have no other wealth on which you are paying Zakaat, you can waive the debt and make an intention of Zakaat and your Zakaat will be fulfilled.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Eating Past Sehri Time

Q: I have been fasting but just discovered that there is such a thing as sehri time. Does that mean all the days I have fasted and eaten after sehri time has passed are not valid? Even if I was not aware of this. I converted to Islam about 2 years ago but am very alone and know no Muslim to guide me in these things. I really need to know if what I have done has been for nothing and what I need to do next.

A: Ignore the past mistakes you made with regard to eating pass the sehri time. In future, make sure that you stop eating before Sehri time (approximately one hour thirty minutes before sunrise). Your fast will be accepted.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Fasting Without Sehri

Q: Is fasting without taking sehri is allowed?

A: Fasting without Sehri is permissible. In fact, one cannot miss the fast even if Sehri was missed.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Delaying Iftaar While Driving

Q: Does one have to break the fast immediatley at the time of Maghrib Athaan? If I am driving, and I don't have anything to break my fast, can I break my fast 5 minutes later when I reach my destination?

A: If you don't have anything to break your fast immediately, you are allowed to delay your Iftaar by a few minutes.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Pap Smear and Fasting

Q: If a female has a pap smear during Ramadaan, does the fast break? Is ghusl fardh upon her?

A: Having a pap smear while fasting will break the fast but ghusl is not fardh.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Fitra and Fidya for 2009

Q: What is the Fidya for this year (2009)?

A: The Hanafi Fidya and Fitra amounts for Ramadaan 1430/September 2009 is R10. The Shafi Fitra is R25 and Shafi Fidya is R12. These amounts apply to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Other areas should follow their local Ulama.

Muhammad Badsha
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Wife Giving Husband Zakaat (Shafi)

Q: Can a wife give her husband her zakaat in the Shafi Math-hab?

A: In the Shaafi’ math-hab a woman is allowed to give her zakaat to her husband if he is in need or has debts.

Using Drip While Fasting

Q: If a drip is ministered to a patient while he is fasting, does the fast break?

A: This will not break the fast. A drip is an intravenous method of introducing substance into the body, like an injection. It does not break the fast, regardless of what type of drip is used.

Using Nasal Spray

Q: If one uses a nasal spray while fasting, is the fast broken?

A: Using a nasal spray will break the fast.

Muslim Customers Eating in Takeaway in Ramadaan

Q: I own a takeaway and in Ramadaan some Muslim customers purchase food to eat at the shop saying they are musaafir or sick. Should I allow them to eat in the shop?

A: You should not allow Muslims to eat at the shop in the day during Ramadaan. Even if they are musaafirs, respect for the month should lead one avoid eating in public.

Pregnancy and Fasting

Q: If a lady is 3 months pregnant does she have to fast?

A: A pregnant woman is not exempt from fasting, unless a Muslim gynaecologist advises the mother that fasting will cause serious complications to her fetus. In that case she is allowed to miss out the fast and keep the qadhaa after Ramadaan. Some Muslim gynaecologists advise their patients not to fast during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, for this is the formation period of the fetus. Thereafter the expecting mother can continue with her fast.

Smelling Insecticides

Q: If insecticides were sprayed on the streets and I smelt a bit of it, is my fast valid?

A: In this case the fast is not broken. Merely smelling something does not break the fast.

Reciting Tasmiya Aloud in Taraweeh

Q: Does one have to read Tasmiyya loud before surah Baqarah? And what if it wasn't read then?

A: It is necessary to read Bismillah aloud at least once during the Taraweeh khatam. If this is not done then the Quran of the muqtadees will not be complete. However, the tasmiyah could be rendered before any surah. If it was not read before Surah Baqarah, it should be read later during the taraweeh.

Swallowing Slime

Q: Does slime accumulating in the mouth and throat due to flu break the fast if it goes down the throat?

A: Swallowing slime does not break the fast.

Women Following Jamaat in Different Room

Q: In taraweeh salaah can women follow the men in a separate room and can we read behind non-mahrams?

A: Women may not follow a jamaat that is in a separate room. For the jamaat to be valid a muqtadees must be in the same room. It not permissible to read behind non-mehrams. If the jamaat consists of mehram males then the females may follow provided a screen separates them. Also note that this applies to the Taraweeh congregation that takes place at home. It is not permissible for females to attend the musjid for taraweeh salaah.

Dry Tampon and Fasting

Q: Does the insertion of a dry tampon nullify the fast?

A: Though inserting a tampon is not permissible unless the woman has valid reasons for this, it will not break the fast.

Air Freshner and Fasting

Q: Does the use of an air freshner that you spray break the fast? What if someone sprays it and you go there after sometime and you get the scent. Does the fast break?

A: When an air-freshener is sprayed, the contents immediately evaporate in the air, leaving behind nothing but a fragrance. This will not break the fast.

Paying Salaries with Zakaat

Q: Some organisations pay their workers from zakaat money. Is this valid, and will our zakaat be discharged if we give it to such an organization?

A: It is not permissible to pay salaries for workers from zakaat funds. If it is ascertained that an organisation does this, zakaat should not be give to such an organisation, for then zakaat will not be discharged.

Zakaat in Grocery Hampers

Q: Is it permissible to give zakaah to an organization that will distribute in the form of grocery hampers, or should cash be given?

A: It is permissible to give zakaat to this organisation because zakaat can be distributed in cash as well as in the form of groceries.

Zakaat for Musjid Building

Q: Can I give Zakaah money towards a house being built for the Muazzin on the Jamaat Khana or Musjid ground?

A: Zakaat may not be used for the building of a musjid, madresa, or similar Islamic projects.

Zakaat on Inheritance

Q: Is zakaat payable on one’s share of inheritance that was acquired just a few weeks ago?

A: If one has inherited cash, gold, silver, or stock then zakaat must be paid on that share by adding its value to existing zakaatable assets. This share will be included in the rest of one’s zakaat. However, if one is not a zakaat payer and has no other zakaat to pay then zakaat on a share of inheritance is not waajib immediately. Zakaat on such assets is only payable after one Islamic year from the time those assets came into one’s possession. If one inherited a share in property then zakaat is not payable at all. Because there is no zakaat on property.

Giving Children Zakaat

Q: I have mentally retarded child. Can I use my zakaat to pay for his medical bills?

A: Parent’s may not give their zakaat to their children. In this case you cannot use zakaat to pay for your child’s medical expenses.

Wife Giving Husband Zakaat

Q: I am in the process of calculating my zakaat. My husband has many debts. Can I give him my zakaat?

A: A wife may not give her zakaat to her husband.

Giving Zakaat to Wife

Q: Can zakaat be given to one’s wife?

A: No, zakaat may not be given to the wife.