Removal of Pubic Hair

Q: I am 14 years old. Is it necessary for me to shave my pubic region (front private part) hairs?

A: Once hair grews in the pubic area (around the front and back private parts) then it becomes necessary to shave. It is not permissible to leave the hair for 40 days without shaving. So yes. regardless of your age, when hair appears, it must be shaven. Also note that you need to shave hair around the anus as well (that is, the back private part).
Ref: Raddul-Muhtaar, Alhazr wal Ibaahah

Removal of Body Hair

Q: What does Islam say about the removal of unwanted body hair?

A: When hair appears under the armpits and from below the navel to around the anus, such hair has to be removed. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (salllallahu alayhi wasallam) said that removal of this hair is among the important teachings of Islamic culture (Bukhari and Muslim). The Muslim Jurists have ruled that one should shave this hair at least once every 40 days. To leave it for longer than 40 days is not permissible.
In the case of a female, she should remove facial hair as well, for it is only men whom are commanded to keep a beard and moustache.
A female is allowed to use ointment or cream to remove any unwanted hair.

Mahram and Umrah

Q: My husband doesn't pray. I want to take him on umrah but he said no. I have no other mahram. What can I do?

A: It is indeed a great act on your part to offer to take your husband for Umrah. Whether he prays his salaah or not, it is his duty to accompany you as a mehram. However, if he refuses to go with you, you cannot force him. The alternative would be to either look for another mehram, such as your brother, father, uncle, nephew, or son (if you have a baaligh son), or else postpone your umrah for another date.
A woman is not allowed to travel without her husband or a mehram. This ruling is mentioned in many hadith of our Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Calculating Mehr (Dowry)

Q: How does mehr work? Does the boy have to give the Mehr e Faatimi?

A: It is not necessary to stipulate the mehr-e-fatimi. This is a sunnat form of mehr for those who can afford it, especially since nowadays the mehr-e-fatimi is quite high. The bridegroom may stipulate any amount of mehr as long as it is more than the minimum mehr.

Delaying Witr Salaah until Tahajjud Time

Q: Is it jaaiz (permissible) to delay witr salaah until tahajjud time?

A: If one is sure of waking up for tahajjud then it is actually better to delay the witr salaah and perform it after completing tahajjud but before subuh sadiq. If one does not have this assurance then better to perform it before sleeping.

Iemaan and Throwing Down the Qur'aan

Q: Will a person’s iemaan leave him if he throws the Quraan down due to anger?

A: If this was done deliberately out of disrespect for the Holy Quran then such a person loses his iemaan. However, if it was done out of anger and not in violation of the sacredness of the Holy Quran, then though the person remains a Muslim, but the act is very serious and a major sin for which abundant istighfaar must be made.

Masturbation and Adultery

Q: Is masturbation equal in sin to zinaa (adultery)?

A: Masturbation is definitely a form of zinaa, and is haraam, but is lesser in gravity than the actual zina between male and female. Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Quran: “And whoever seeks any other (avenue of lust) besides these (the wife and female slaves), they are the transgressors.” Surah Muminoon (23) verse 7. This verse makes haraam any form of sexual activity besides sex in marriage and sex with females slaves. The latter obviously does not exist today.

Widow Wearing Imitation Jewellery

Q: Can a widow wear imitation jewelry?

A: If the widow is in iddat, she may not wear any jewelry or adornment. If she is not in iddah then the law that applies to all women (widows, divorcees, single, married) is that they may wear any type of imitation jewelry except rings. Finger-rings must be of either gold or silver.

How does one know if Allah is Pleased?

Q: How would an individual know if Almighty Allah is pleased with him/her?

A: Allah has described true guidance as that which was brought by The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in turn promised salvation for those who follow his Path and the Path of his Sahaaba. Hence, if one is acting on the teachings of Allah’s Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and following the sunnat of His sahaaba, then such a person has pleased Allah, and Allah is pleased with him. Add to this continuous repentance and istighfaar for mistakes and sins that we always fall prey to, and you have the formula of pleasing Almighty Allah.

Forgetting Sajda Sahu

Q: If one had to make sajda sahu for a particular salaah, but forgot to do so. What is the position of that salaah? Must qadha be made for it?

A: If one forgot to make sajda sahu and realised this immediately after the salaah, then it is waajib to repeat that salaah if the time of the salaah is still valid. However, once the time expires, there is no qadha to be made, because the faradh has been discharged.

Missing a Rakaah and Salaam with Imam

Q: I joined the jamaat after missing one rakaat. When the Imam made salaam at the end of the salaah, by mistake I also made salaam. Realising my mistake, I immediately stood up. I had turned my head completely when making the salaam. I then proceeded to fill in the missed rakaat. Was my salaah valid?

A: Your salaah was valid but you had to make sajda sahu for that error.

Reading Tasbeeh on Fingers

Q: What is the correct option when reading tasbeeh on the fingers; should one use only the right hand or can you use both hands?

A: One is allowed to use both hands, although some books mention preference for using the right hand only. In practice let us do both at different times.

Working at a Bank

Q: A boy intends to marry me but he works at bank. How do I advice him about leaving that job?

A: Working in a bank is not totally Haraam. Some types of work in the banking industry are lawful. If his work entails involvement in riba (interest) then such work is Haraam. Our advice for him is to look out for another job as a matter of urgency, but in the meantime continue working at the bank. However, if he is working in an Islamic bank, then his job is totally lawful and permissible. In this case he doesn’t have to leave the job. If you need any advice on the Islamic banks, please contact us again.

Beef Bone Gelatine

Q: Is the ruling of beef skin gelatine also applicable to gelatine from beef bones?

A: Animals that are not slaughtered according to Islamic requirements are Haraam. This includes the meat, bones, skin, etc of such animals. Therefore, gelatine made from beef bones will have the same ruling as gelatine made from the skin. If slaughtered Islamically it will be Halaal, if not then it will be Haraam. If Halaal animals are mixed with Haraam animals then all will be considered as Haraam.