Climax and Ghusl

Q: If a female gets wet during arousal and climaxes but no intercourse has taken place, does she have to make ghusl?

A: Ghusl will be compulsory in this case.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Loop, Spotting and Periods

Q: Since I changed my loop 7 months ago I have been spottng/bleedng continuously. In the last 2 months I had a full bleed also (just lke a normal haid). Which days must I take as haid (periods)? My habit is 10 days. If I take 10 days as haid and 15 as days clean then the full bleed days are not days of haid. Must I ignore the spotting/bleedng and wait for the full bleed as haid?

A. Consider your habit of ten days. Ten days as per habit will be Haidh and the rest will be Istihaadhah. Your minimum time of clean days will be fifteen.

If bleeding takes place after insertion of the loop, usually cauterization helps. Speak to your medical practitioner.

Mufti Siraj Adds:
You also need to determine which 10 days of the month is your habit: the start, middle, or end. If you don’t know this, and the bleeding is continuous, meaning there is no 15-day clean period or more, then count the first 10 days as Haidh and 20 days as Istihaadhah.

And Allah Ta'aala knows Best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Unhappy with Wearing Scarf

Q: I am 19 years old. I wear a scarf but I don't like wearing it. I force myself to wear it and I feel like I'm not ready for wearing it. Can I start wearing when I feel that I'm completely ready for it? I'm actually really unhappy wearing it.

A. That you are wearing scarf while not liking it shows you respect the Law of Allah. Maasha Allah! This is a sign of true Imaan. These thoughts of wondering when one will be ready for scarf and Hijaab are all whispers of Shaytaan trying to entice you away from Shari'ah.

By now the scarf should have been replaced with full Hijaab. The scarf does not suffice for you anymore. Islam has not stated that a law should be practiced upon when we are ready for it. Many of the laws go against our grain, but we have to fulfil and abide by them, happily or unhappily. By you donning full Hijaab and going against your Nafs, you will earn even more reward Inshaa Allah Ta'aala. Remember that all the laws are in place for our benefit and protection. There are unimaginable and numerous benefits in the Divine laws. You are a gem with the treasure of Imaan. Protect yourself from the illicit gazes of others.

May Allah open your heart towards complete obedience to the Shari'ah, Aameen.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Salaah with Long Skirt

Q: Is it permissible for a woman to make salaah with a long skirt and burka over (nothing underneath the skirt) or must she wear a pants under the skirt?

A. If the skirt is thick and not see-through, and movement does not cause the skirt moving in such a manner that a portion of the Satr (that which must be covered) to open, the Salaah will be valid. However, it is best to wear pants under the skirt.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Moving in Iddat

Q: My mum is 82 years old and needs constant supervision day and night. My father passed away and amongst the children we decided to take turns to care of her. She was unable to reside at one place. How will this effect her iddah period?

A: She should complete her Iddat at one place. You did not furnish a reason as to why she was unable to reside at one place. If it is because the children are taking turns to care for her at their respective homes, she should complete the Iddat at one venue and after the Iddat go to the different homes to be taken care of.

The children should make arrangements to come to the house where she is spending the Iddat and provide the care for her there. Only in a life and death situation is a woman in Iddat allowed to move to another house.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Applying Mendhi During Menstruation

Q: Can a lady apply mehndi during menstruation?

A: Mhendi can be applied during menstruation.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Praying Salaah With Long Burqa

Q: If a woman prays salah in the privacy of her home, is in necessary for her to wear an abaya or will a long burqa till the knees be adequete (she will have on long trousers under the burqa)?

A: This type of dress for salah (long burqa) inside the home is permissible. However, the trouser she wears must not be tight fitting for then her salaah will be makrooh, though still valid.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Lady Wearing Pants for Salaah

Q: If a women is wearing a shorts or a skirt at home, can she just wear an abaya over that and pray salah or would wearing a pants undeneath be necessary?

A: Wearing a pants underneath will be necessary.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Lady Attending Awards Function

Q: I am a lady who is a specialised accountant for a listed international corporate. For the passed 2 years, I have received performance awards, but have never attended the function. Now my company is giving me the group md's award, ceo award and divisional md's award. I also have been allocated 10 minutes to give a speech. My region's GM said that it was compulsory to attend or I would receive a written warning. I have never attended, because although I would wear an abaya and scarf, there is music, alcohol and dancing. My husband has abandoned me and my 3 sons all under the age of 10. I therefore have to work. Please advise.

A: The fact that you are seeking guidance on a matter like this is encouraging from an Islamic perspective, for it suggests concern for Deen and the Law of Allah. May He reward you for this.

Firstly you should understand that for a Muslim woman to be in a mixed gathering, even without alcohol, music, and dancing, and to address such a gathering is totally haraam. It is haraam notwithstanding the abaya and even pardah that she would wear. Just going there and delivering a public address is not permissible. When you add to the equation the above three haraam factors, the prohibition is compounded. You need to consider the situation honestly and sincerely.

The very first option to consider is to make a written submission that can be backed and supported by a reputable Aalim or body of Ulema explaining reasons why you may not attend. (Reasons being alcohol and dancing mainly, for the western mind may not comprehend the pardah factor)

If this is not possible or feasible, then consider whether non-attendance can result in you losing your job. If not, then you are obliged by Shariah not to attend.

If you run the risk of losing your job, then consider whether you will be able to find alternate employment that will enable you to live comfortably and provide for your children. If the answer to this option is in the affirmative, then too, you should chance your arm and not attend. If you lose your job, you can fall back on the alternate employment.

If there is no possibility or opportunity of alternate employment then as a last resort you are allowed to attend but on the following conditions:

1) Cover as much of the body as possible.

2) Avoid association with males as much as possible.

3) Never shake the hand of a male.

4) Come away from that haraam gathering as soon as you are able to, even if you feign illness or any other excuse.

5) Before attending, while present there, and after returning make lots of istighfaar and repentance to Almighty Allah, and ask for His Protection. Make taubah salaah, etc.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Covering Face in Shafi Math-hab

Q: I am a Shafi Math-hab Muslim. I understand that in that Math-hab for ladies niqaab (covering the face) is not mandatory. Can I force my wife to wear niqaab?

A: In the Shaafi math-hab it is also waajib or mandatory for a woman to cover her face with a niqaab or jilbaab in front of strangers. This is mentioned in all the famous Shaafi works on Fiqah. So you have the right to ask your wife to do so, but do not force her, for this may lead to disharmony among yourselves. Try and persuade her with wisdom and remind her gently every while.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Use of Tampons

Q: Are Tampons permissable to use?

A: In the hanafi math-hab, inserting anything into the vagina unless for medical reasons, is makrooh tahreemi (not permissible). Since a woman is able to use the normal sanitary pads, she should not use tampons. (Ref: Minahaul-Waarideen)

Mufti Siraj Desai

Tying Hair in a Bun

Q: If its forbidden for men to tie hair in bundle, how should a woman's hair be tied when performing Salaah?

A: Women are allowed to read salaah with hair tied in a bun. Men may not do this.The women's salaah will not be affected or disrupted in any way.

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

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

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

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

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

Female Studying

Q: I would like to know if it is permissible for females to study. I intend going to go to a girls-only university and am also in complete pardah. Will it be permissible?

A: It is not permissible for females to leave home and study, even if they are in pardah. This does not fall under necessity. A woman is only allowed to leave home when a necessity arises. You may study any degree, but do so from home. You can do it through a correspondence course. However, I would suggest that once you've finished schooling, don't worry about further degrees. Start getting ready for marriage by learning the ways of a housewife.
From experience I have learnt that when girls spend their teen years studying, there is no time to groom themselves for marriage by learning the finer points of cooking, housekeeping, etc. A young female also needs to start reading up on the Islamic Laws related to marriage, for without this a girl cannot become a proper and true wife. Furthermore, when a girl attains a degree, she will not stop at that but would be driven to start working. Then when she starts working and earning money (and nowadays women find jobs easier than men, and get better pay) she will discard the laws of pardah in the course of her work. She might even be working with men or interacting with them. This will later on impact on her marriage, as will her earning more than the husband should this materialize. Marriages have broken down due to wives working, for three main reasons:
1) The wife works with men, or comes into contact with them during work, and this (naturally) annoys the husband;
2) The wife earns more than the husband, so he feels inferior, and at times she regards him as inferior;
3) She feels independent, and believes that if her husband leaves, she can survive on her own.
These points are the ideal recipe for marital catastrophe.

Applying Mendhi in Husband's Absence

Q: Can I apply mendhi in the absence of my husband?

A: You may apply mendhi in the absence of your husband for your own satisfaction.

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

Coloured Contact Lenses

Q: Is is permissable for a woman to wear coloured contact lenses as opposed to the clear lens?

A: Colour lenses are not allowed because the observer will be led to believe that that colour is the natural colour of the woman’s eyes. Contact lenses are not easily noticeable. Let’s say a boy proposes to the girl, and sees her face. He will be pleased to see that she has “green” eyes or “blue” eyes, but the day they marry and she removes her lenses, the husband will feel cheated. So because of deception, this is not allowed. It is also for this reason why a man is not allowed to dye his hair black, for this will deceive the onlooker. As for a married woman, this will also be a form attraction because even if she wears a niqaab or veil, the eyes are very noticeable and will look more attractive with the colour. For these reasons colour contacts are not permissible. It appears in the hadith: ‘He who deceives us is not one of us’ Narrated by Imam Muslim.

Mufti Siraj Desai