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.