Covid vaccine and fasting

/in , /by

Question:

Does getting the COVID vaccine during Ramadan break a person’s fast?

Thank you.

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Assalam’aleykum, I pray this finds you in the best of states.

Jazakum Allah khayr for your question!

No getting the COVID vaccine does not break a person’s fast.

The fast is only nullified when a substance enters the body cavity through a recognized entry point, such as the mouth, nose, or front and back private parts. Therefore, eye drops, injections, and nicotine patches do not break the fast as they do not enter the body from a recognized entry point.

Please see: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/ramadan-injections-eye-drops-and-doubts/

And Allah knows best.

May  Allah Most High grant you the best of this world and the next.

Please keep us in your du’as!

Wassalam

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

How Should I Respond When My Child Is Invited to Halloween Parties?

/in , /by

Question: Some Muslims around us celebrate Halloween and Christmas. They do so to have fun, not on a religious basis. What should we do when they invite us to such parties? Our kid gets excited when he sees other kids dressed in costumes. How should we deal with this? Right now, even if we participate for the sake of fun, our kid might go into the depths of Halloween culture when he grows up. We as a parent how should we respond to such invitations?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your excellent question. You are absolutely right when you say that your child might grow up and go deeper into the Halloween culture and make it his own. Follow your instincts.

Resources

You will find excellent answers to your question below; please read them in full:
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/featured-articles/including-our-children-in-the-halloween-discussion-by-hina-khan-mukhtar/
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/prophetic-guidance/halloween-imam-zaid-shakir/

Etiquette

As for the etiquette of declining an invitation to such parties, there are a few ideas that come to mind:

-At the very least, politely decline and explain that you don’t celebrate Halloween for the reasons from the above links. Eventually, with some thought, they will join your side, in sha Allah.

-Organize, in advance, a party or get-together so the children can see their friends and play and not be sad about not going trick-or-treating.

-Our local Islamic school organizes an evening event for all the Muslim students, so they have somewhere to go and are not tempted to go out trick-or-treating. Suggest this to your local school or mosque.

Overall

Most of all, teach your child early the reasons that we don’t celebrate Halloween. Teach them to be proud of the decision and not to be apologetic about it. Show compassion when they are disappointed and teach them that we refrain from this for the pleasure of Allah and our principles and not because of fear of how we will look to others. May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Looking at Mahram without desire

/in , /by

Question Summary

Is it permissible for a man to look at a Non-Mahram woman, aside from her awra, if done without desire?

Question Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

It is permissible for a person to look at the non-awra parts of the opposite gender if there is no desire or reasonable fear of falling into desire. [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

Though the above is permissible, it is still best not to look except when necessary, or there is a clear benefit in doing so. To lower one’s gaze when there is no need or foreseeable benefit is recommended. [Ibid.]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Quranic exegesis, Islamic history, and some texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Can I Eat Easter Eggs?

/in , /by

Question:

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

I question eating and buying foods such as chocolate, Easter eggs, bunnies, or gingerbread. Is it allowed to eat foods that have their origin in other religious origins? So, for example, could we eat chocolate Easter eggs when it isn’t Easter?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

Yes, eating chocolate easter eggs and gingerbread men is permissible. We have been forbidden from imitating non-Muslims in religious matters. (‘Itr, I’lam al Anam) Easter eggs in our times have lost their religious significance, to a large degree, and in most places

Many people eat them without thinking about what the Christians believe about Easter. Therefore, it is not a religious matter for most, and so, they can be consumed.

However, if a religious ritual has been practiced on certain foods, such as the bread in the Eucharist, or prasad in a Hindu temple, consuming it will not be permissible. This would be part of avoiding imitating the disbelievers in religious practice.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh]Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

How to get out of consuming haram

/in , /by
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
May Allah, Most High, reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge.
The first step in this process is to show gratitude to Allah, Most High, for placing guidance in your heart. This is indeed an amazing blessing.
Then, You must repent to Allah, Most High, from earning and consuming prohibited wealth. Be certain to never fall into it again.
Remember that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.” [Ibn Maja]
As for your consumption of Haram, seeking forgiveness from Allah, Most High will remove those effects along with other acts of worship. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Follow up a bad deed with a good deed for it will wipe the bad deed away.”
(Tirmidhi, al-Sunan)
As for your earning of Haram wealth;
If it was taken wrongfully from someone, then it must be returned.

If it was earned wrongfully, such as interest, its equivalent amount should be given in charity (sadaqa).

If the amount is large, then create a schedule that allows you to fulfill the amount slowly.

(Ibn Abidin, al-Hashiya)
And Allah alone knows best,
[Ustadh] Omar Popal
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Do I Have To Check If Meat Is Halal If I’m  A Guest?

/in , /by

Question:

Assalamu ‘alaykum.
If I get invited by a Muslim family which is not very religious, and I get served meat (not pork), do I have to avoid it or make investigations till I am sure the meat is halal? And what is the matter what would the matter be if I get the invitation from non-muslim families – should I be concerned every time?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Yes, it would be best if you were cautious about this. The classical works state that one does not need to ask when at someone’s house. (Birgivi, al Tariqa al Muhamadiyya) However, we find ourselves in non-Muslims countries where there have been multiple cases of people passing off haram meat as halal. Precaution should be the basis here.

The way around it is to call the people who have invited you to ask them that if they plan on preparing meat or chicken for you, you have a practice of only eating meat from whichever particular butcher that you know to be certified by a sound authority.

Make it clear that you are not trying to be difficult and that you’re not suspicious. You make a conscious choice to support these authorities that give peace of mind to Muslims.

Supporting A Reliable Authority To Support The Muslims At Large

I feel this is something one has to be careful about depending on where one lives. There have been many scandals about meat in the UK, and more keep appearing in the news. The safest thing to do is to consume meat approved by a reliable authority.

In the UK, HMC is the most reliable. They have a representative – usually a scholar – present at the abattoir who witnesses the slaughter. The meat is stamped at various points of the process until it reaches the butcher or fast food outlet. Also, they disapprove of stunning the animals. This leads to the premature death of chickens in many cases.

With a non-Muslim host, you can request fish or a vegetarian option; it’s easy. Many people have dietary requirements, so it wouldn’t be burdening anyone to mention a preference.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Is Hunting Permissible?

/in , , /by

Question:

Assalamu ‘Alaykum.

Are hunting and falconry permissible? Some cows are subjected to awful animal cruelty. Can we buy the leather from non-halal, non-tayyib, abused cows?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Hunting Is Permissible With Conditions

Yes, hunting is permissible if it is for food or as a means of income. Such as if someone hunted to earn a living from selling the materials gained from the animals hunted.

Hunting for sport, however, is not permissible. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Don’t treat anything that has a soul as a target.“ (Muslim) (Ibn ‘Abidn, Radd al Muhtar, al Mawsu’a al Kuwaitiyya)

Animal Cruelty Is Impermissible

Treating animals with cruelty is impermissible and a form of wrongdoing. This applies more so in the cases where people make animals fight and get injured. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) passed by a donkey that had been branded on its face, and he said, “Allah has cursed whoever branded it.“ (Muslim)

Therefore, these practices are clearly impermissible. It would, however, be permissible to purchase the hide of the cows you mentioned in the sense that it is a valid transaction. However, it is more ethical to avoid it, not to support the industry.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Does every product require a ‘Halal Certification’?

/in , /by
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
May Allah, Most High, reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge.
As a general rule, you should stick to this Hadith:
“leave that what gives you doubt for that which does not give you doubt.”
(Tirmidhi, al-Sunan)
And this juristic principle:
 “The normative rule for all things is that they are permissible until a sign/proof of impermissibility appears” (Zuhayli, Qawaid al-Fiqhiyya)
If a packaged product does not have any signs of impermissibility, there is no obligation on you to think about whether it has been contaminated or if it contains hidden ingredients.
If your heart tells you that this product could be doubtful, then leaving it would not be necessary but rather from scrupulousness and piety.
Muhammad al Baqir said: There is no better act of worship than being scrupulous in regards to one’s food….”
(Habib Zayn bin Sumayt, al-Manhaj as-Sawi)
And Allah alone knows best,
[Ustadh] Omar Popal
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Which career is best for me?

/in , , /by
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
May Allah, Most High, reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge.
Choice fatigue is a normal part of life that is a result of having multiple options. We should be grateful to Allah, Most High, for the ability to choose a line of work that suits us best.
Our advice is that you should not allow this choice to be a stress in your life but rather see it as a great opportunity. Either choice you take will; God Willing will lead you to a good career.
The simple way to choose a career is to first chart out what your interests are. Then, select a few of those options to pursue seriously. Once you have limited the choices, you should seek the counsel of Allah, Most High, and the counsel of anyone you trust or those who are working in the field(s) you are interested in.
Seeking the counsel of Allah, Most High, is done by praying the prayer of seeking guidance along with reflecting over which career will lead you to please your Creator the most.
Wherever you end up, know that it was destined for you and that there is no problem with changing careers if need be. At the end of the day, this is all a worldly matter. The true matter is one of the hereafter.
Be sure to pick a career that will allow you to balance between your Religious practice and workload.
If you still find yourself feeling confused, be sure to consult local scholars.
And Allah alone knows best,
[Ustadh] Omar Popal
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Can I Keep Gifts That I Received in a Haram Relationship?

/in , , , /by

Question:

Can I keep gifts that I received in a haram relationship?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barkatuh.

I pray you are well.

Yes, it is permitted to keep and use the gifted item – providing its usage is otherwise halal. The acceptance of the gift and the relationship are separate matters. The impermissibility of the relationship has no bearing on the usage of the gift now. If the given was given and received willingly, it is permissible to keep. [Quduri, Matan al-Quduri]

Alhamdulillah, being given the ability to repent was a gift for this person. He should ask Allah for protection from being in the same situation again and avoid the paths that lead there.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.