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.