Husband Smoking Marijuana

Q: What's the faith of a woman who distances herself from a husband who smokes marijuana?

A: A wife has to remain fatihful towards her husband as long as she is married to him. She has to continue to fulfill the rights of the marriage as commanded by Shariah. Therefore, even if the husband is onto drugs or marijuana, she has to still maintain his rights. Perhaps the husband needs help to overcome this problem. The wife could provide some assistance. However, if this habit of the husband causes him to continuously break her rights and not fulfill marital dues, then the wife may seek a divorce or annulment. But that must be determined by local Ulema who will study and judge the case on its merits.
If by "distancing" you mean that the wife remains in nikah but keeps aloof from her husband, then although this is permissible, but she still has to fulfill the rights of nikah. If him being in that state causes grief and anguish to the wife during sexual relations, then she is allowed not to allow him access to her body while he is under the influence of marijuana.

And Allah knows best.

I suggest a couple facing this problem go to local Ulema for counselling and help. May Allah bring about a cure to this evil, aameen.

Falling in Love with Sheikh

Q: When I listen to any sheikh, I fall in love with him. I am 15 years old. What can I do?

A: This is the trick of Shaytaan and the Nafs. By involving you in this 'love' for the Shaykh, Shaytaan is preventing you from the actual purpose of listening to the Shaykh, which is Deeni benefit.
You should observe strict Hijaab from these Shaykhs.
You should refrain from listening to the Shaykhs for a period of time, until you can rid yourself of this malady. Gain knowledge, etc. from female teachers, read Deeni books, etc. This 'love' will eventually make you fantasize, which is Haraam. Save yourself by refraining from listening to them. Recite in abundance:

لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللهِ
LAA HAULA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAH

Tell yourself that these Shaykhs may be teaching and reciting beautifully, but are much elder than you, and old enough to be your father. You should respect them as you would respect your father, and not entertain any illicit thoughts regarding them.
May Allah Ta'aala make it easy for you. Aameen.

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

Belly Piercing

Q: Is belly piercing haraam (prohibited)?

A: Belly-piercing is sinful in Islam because it is practice of belle dancers and prostitutes. The Holy Quran and Noble Hadith of Our Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) prohibit the imitation of cultures and styles of lewd and evil people. Hence piercing of the stomach is not permissible.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Maximum Amount a Lady Can Uncover

Q: What is the maximum amount of herself that a woman can uncover in the presence of ghair-mahrams?

A: In cases of necessity a female may expose her hands and face. However, it is ultimately better that she covers her face, too, for the 'Ulema have ruled that in times of corruption a woman should not even expose her face. The features of the face inevitably attract the looks and attentions of men. (Raddul Muhtaar V26 P398)

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

Correct Pronunciation of Arabic Letters

Q: What is the correct pronunciation of Arabic letters?

A: Proper pronuniciation of Arabic letters can only be acquired from a qualifed Qaari or Hafiz. This cannot be obtained or learnt from writings. However. there is one point that we can provide guidance on, and that is the Arabic alphabet must not be uttered like the Urdu alphabet. For example one should say Baa, Taa, Thaa, Raa, Zaa, Haa, Khaa, etc., and not Be Te Se, etc.as is normally said for the Urdu letters. Beyond this, I reiterate, one has to go to a qualified Qaari for such learning.

Issued by:
Mufti Siraj Desai

When was the Zaboor (Psalms) Revealed

Q: When was the zaboor (original Psalms) revealed?

A: The zaboor was revealed in the time of Prophet Dawood (David alayhis salam) during the middle of the month of Ramadaan. This has been mentioned by Imam Suyooti in his book Al-Itqaan.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Istikhaara and no Dream

Q: I read istikhara but did not see any dream. What do I do?

A: In istikhara it is not necessary that one will see a dream, or that the dream will clearly show which course of action to take. Sometimes one will be overtaken with a strong feeling to adopt one course of action, then that too, is an answer to the istikhara. Sometimes it depends on what one is making istikhara for.
If you need further clarification then perhaps you should tell us what were you making istikhara for and whether after the istikhara you had expereinced any strong inclination towards a particular action.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Marital Conflict and Seeking Advice

Q: I need to find advice with regard to the situation I find myself in at the moment.It relates to my marriage.Please advise me as to who I can seek some advice and direction from.

A: Seek counsel from the Ulama in your area, or elder members of your family, or elders of your area, especially those who are steadfast on the Deen (religion of Islam).
May Allah Ta'aala grant you ease. Aameen.


Shukran

Father Teaching Son to Shave Pubic Area

Q: I am father. My son is 14 years old and has to shave his pubic area. Can I do it for him once in order to advice him?

A: The father cannot shave the pubic hair of his son since this entails exposure of the satar or private areas. The boy should do it himself. The father can advise him what to do and how to do it, but cannot physically show him. This is haraam.

Was salaam
Mufti Siraj Desai

Dyeing Grey Hair for Husband

Q: I am a woman. Is it haram (prohibited) to dye grey hair to add to my beauty for my hus band to see?

A: It is permissible to dye the hair for the sake of your husband but not black. as this is forbidden by the Hadith of Our Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Also, do not use dye which contains Haraam ingredients.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Wife Leaving Islam

Q: My wife accepted Islam because I asked her, now she doesn't want to be Muslim. Do I leave her?

A: If she has already left Islam, get some learned people to speak to her to remove her doubts and convince her about Islam. If she agrees to come back into the fold of Islam, renew your Nikah with her. During this period of trying to persuade her to come back into the fold, sexual relations and intimacy (kissing, etc) are not permissible. If she refuses to return to Islam then you will have to leave her. You cannot be married to her as long as she remains out of the Deen of Islam.

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

Husband Sucking Wife's Breasts and Drinking Breast Milk

Q: Can a husband suck the milk of his wife's breast and does it effect the Nikkah (marriage)?

A: If the husband sucks the wife's breasts and drinks the breast-milk, the Nikah is not affected in any way. The wife does not become haraam upon the husband. However, even though the nikah remains intact, it is not permissible to drink the wife's breast-milk. (Qaadhi Khan and Fataawa Rahimiyyah v.2 p.112)

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

Identifying Dead Female as Muslim or not

Q: If a dead body of a female is found, how we can recognise that she was a Muslim or a non Muslim?

A: If one is aware that Muslim women in the area use mehndi. or dress in a certain way, or apply a certain makeup peculiar to Muslims then this could be used as signs to determine the religion of the deceased female. Other that this, there is no way to ascertain from her body whether she is Muslim or not.
In that case you need to do the following:
a) Check for identification on her.
b) Ask people in the area where her body was found. Perhaps someone will know her.
c) Find out from the police and the 'Missing Persons Bureau' if someone with her description has been reported missing.
In the absence of proper identification from the above sources, one should use discretion. If the heart strongly feels that the deceased is a Muslim then give her an Islamic burial. If not, then wrap the body in one or two pieces of cloth, dig a hole and bury it. There will be no duas, janaaza salaah, etc.

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

Females Removing Hair and Nails Before Qurbani

Q: Is it permissable for females to remove hair and cut nails in the 10 days before slaughtering Qurbani (Udhiyyah)?

A: It is permissible for males and females to remove hair during this period. There is no sin in doing so. However, there is reward for leaving the nails and hari till after Qurbani.

Mufti Siraj Desai