Making a Bun or Ponytail

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Question: I know that tying one’s hair into a camel bump is haram. But is wearing your hair in a bun at the top of your head when at home haram? It’s easier to handle especially when I’m showering or going to the bathroom. My mum also wears her hair like this when she sleeps. When I sleep, I gather all my hair at the top of my head into a ponytail. This is the perfect method for me. Is it permissible?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. There is a lot of interpretation concerning the hadith about the camel hump and whether it relates to the manner of donning the hijab. Please see the details here: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/camel-hump-volumised-hijab/

As for tying your hair in a certain manner at home, such as a high bun or high ponytail, it is permissible. You may find with time that you prefer to make braids, as this gives the hair ultimate protection from tangling and pulling, and is beautiful due to its simplicity. Either way, you are not sinning, and Allah knows best.

[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 Masters 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.

 A Moment of Silence

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Is Religion Relevant in the 21st Century

Question: Is it permissible to observe a moment of silence to remember an event or the death of certain individuals?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Observing a moment of silence has no basis in the Sunna of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). That said, it is also not a religious ritual, but rather a convention (adah) so it does not count as an accretion to the religion (bida) and would be permissible to do.

It would however be better to avoid unless there is overwhelming pressure to do it.

So, if you are part of a large organization in which your own actions are less noticeable, it would be better not to do observe the moment of silence.

However, if you are part of a smaller unit, such as a family or small business, in which one’s own individual actions would make or break one’s relationship with the others, one should observe the moment of silence. This is especially the case when the event has great emotional or political weight.

Now, this is obviously on the proviso that one is not showing this respect to a person of sin out of reverence for his sin, or a disbeliever out of reverence for his disbelief.

For example, having a moment of silence for Abu Jahl out of respect for his practicing his freedom of religion, or having a moment of silence to remember some famous brewer’s contribution to the science of brewing beer. These of course would be sinful.

In such a case, you would have to either take a very clear and calculated stance and convey to others why exactly you feel it is morally wrong to observe a moment of silence for such a person or avoid the situation completely in an allusive manner.

In general, we as Muslims need to be more clear and communicative, not loud and angry. We need to be sensitive and have hearts, but at the same time have our own identities and moral values.

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/clarifying-innovations-in-islam/
https://seekersguidance.org/courses/evaluating-innovations-debunking-ten-bidah-myths/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/the-concept-and-classification-of-bida-in-islam/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Selling Items That Are Used For Sin

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The Proprieties of Prioritizing in Religious Practice

Question: Is it halal to sell someone something one knows they will use for sin?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

It is forbidden to sell someone something that one knows they will use for sin (Minhaj al Talibin, Nawawi). This is considered directly assisting someone to disobey Allah.

Allah Most High says, ‘Help one another in good and righteous works, and do not help one another in sin and transgression’ (Qur’an, 5: 2).

For example, someone wants to buy a kitchen knife to go and stab someone, and you know that that is what they want to do, then it is sinful. This would be very different from selling something that could be used for something permissible and for something impermissible. For example, selling a gun to someone with a license who may or may not wish to use it in an unethical way.

Please see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/permissible-manufacture-sell-condoms/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/selling-womens-clothing-and-using-real-women-as-models/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/can-i-work-at-a-supermarket-checkout-that-sells-pork-and-alcohol/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Stunning Chickens and Halal Certification

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Question: There is a certain halal food auditing company that has certified as halal chicken that is stunned before slaughter? Can I rely on this certification?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

When stunning does not kill the animal, then the process is still haram, but the meat will be halal to eat. This is probably why they gave the certification.

In the UK, it is better to rely on HMC than other organizations. You can find out which shops/restaurants they have given a certificate to here: https://halalhmc.org/outlets/

Please also read:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/a-guide-for-consuming-various-meats-foods-alcohol-animal-by-product-ingredients-and-cosmetics/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/can-we-eat-machine-slaughtered-meat/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Student Loans in the UK

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Sunna Prayers after Jumu‘a
Question: What is the ruling on student loans especially the British student loan system? What are the alternatives/practical ways to afford university?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Interest Is Forbidden

Thank you for your important question. It is a matter which has been discussed by many scholars in our time. The problem with the loan system – as it currently is – is the interest element. I am aware of the clause of the debt being wiped away if one does not earn over a particular threshold. It doesn’t affect the ruling.

The issue is that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) cursed the one who takes interest, the one who gives it, the one who documents the contract, and the one who is a witness to it. He said they are all the same, in sin, that is (Muslim). Entering into the contract is a problem, so the loans are not permissible.

Alternative Solutions

As it is, there are not many practical financing solutions. You could try borrowing from friends and family. Taking a year or two out to pay for a couple of years, and working during that period part-time to pay for the final year is also an option.

It might not sound easy, but if you try with the aim of pleasing Allah you’ll get a lot more coming back to you from Allah in the long term. This is something the Muslim community needs to work towards having a workable solution for.

Failing this, you could enroll in a program that is subsidized or paid for, such as various NHS funded courses. Or maybe the University will accommodate a payment plan.

Banu Isra’il and the Sabbath Test

“Ask them about the city by the sea, when they transgressed the Sabbath at a time when the fish would come openly on the Sabbath, but not on other days…” (Qur’an, 7:163) This is verse a dear friend of mine referenced when I asked him what he would do about his son’s higher education.

He saw this situation as being similar to what Banu Isra’il faced – except that they were tested like this due to their constant rebellion. The similarity is that a haram option exists and it is easy to take, but it leads to problems. I know a number of people who were afflicted with problems in their life after taking out such loans.

In the end, he and his son decided that it would be better for him to apply for an apprenticeship. This is a viable option. It can lead to a good career, and you get paid whilst learning. It might not be the same as studying in a university, but it will, at least, lead to a guaranteed job.

See it as the test it is, and pray an istikhara. Ask Allah for the best course in your life – one that will enrich you in this life and the next. May Allah facilitate the matter for you.

[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 and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Practicalities of Apostasy

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Question: What practical steps should we take if our family members leave Islam?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

First of all, one is not responsible to label people and know who is a believer and who is not. If any practical considerations arise, one should refer the specific case to a mufti. One should not come to one’s own conclusions.

The only practical repercussions of someone else in one’s family are the marriage, inheritance, and any meat that they may slaughter. Besides these practical considerations, one should not go about ferreting who or who has not left Islam.

If one’s spouse does something that is clear disbelief, one should tell them to repent and utter the testimony of faith (shahadah). If they do not desist, one should take the matter to a mufti as soon as possible.

If the mufti deems the words/actions to be apostasy (ridda), the meat they slaughter would not be halal to eat, they could not inherit from other Muslims in the family, nor could any Muslims in the family inherit from them, and the wife in the marriage would enter her divorce waiting period (idda). If the spouse who apostates does not enter Islam again before the waiting period (idda) is over, then they are divorced.

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/husband-leaving-islam/

With the exception of the very sensitive scenario of one’s spouse apostatizing, one should not be overt about the matter. One should just give them space to rethink things. One shouldn’t push them further away.

‘Make things easy, and don’t make things hard. Give glad tidings, and do not make people turn away’ (Bukhari).

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/islamic-belief/universal-validity-of-religions-and-the-issue-of-takfir/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/islamic-belief/did-i-commit-wrongful-takfir/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/islamic-belief/is-it-permissible-to-consider-a-muslim-an-unbeliever/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Intention for Zakat or Charity

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Charity

Question: If one intentionally overestimates one’s zakat, is it valid to intend that whatever is extra counts a charity? Does it matter if one is not really sure how much is extra?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If one gives more than the zakat that is due intending it all as zakat, then whatever was due will count as zakat and whatever is extra will count as charity. However, one must not intend that it is all both zakat and charity, or either or (Al Majmu, Nawawi).

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Women’s Covering During the Ritual Prayer 

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Question: Is it necessary for the same garment which covers the hair to cover the chest and neck area or can hijab be worn with different garments covering each of these parts of the body? Please reference your school of thought also. 
Answer: 
Assalāmu ‘alaykum Dear Sister in Faith,
The covering of one’s nakedness (‘awrah) during the Ritual Prayer (salah) is a condition for its validity by the consensus of the Jurists of all Sunni Schools of Thought [Shurunbulali, Imdad al-Fattah].

For a woman, this includes all of her body except her hands and face.

As for her feet, it is a matter of legitimate disagreement among the Jurists.  The prevalent view of the Hanafi School is that the portion of the feet that is below the ankles is not necessary to cover in the Ritual Prayer [Marghinani, al-Hidayah; Zabidi, al-Jawharah an-Nayyirah].

The style of clothing or means by which a woman chooses to cover herself during the Ritual Prayer is not stipulated by the Sacred Law.  The obligation is to cover the required area with clothing that is not form-fitting nor transparent.
May Allah clothe us in the Garb of Obedience, in this world, and the Robes of Paradise, in the next.
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Removing Make-Up for Wudu

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wudu

Question: I am concerned my make-up has not been completely removed. Is my Wudu/Ghusl valid if there is still some make-up on my face? 

Answer: 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Before answering your question, certain clarifications must be made:

What is a preventative barrier in Wudu?

The nature of water is that it is a light flowing substance and it reaches even the smallest of crevices. For this reason, the basis is that water does reach the skin and something would have to be a clear impediment of the water for the water to have not reached [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah].

Mascara

If the mascara has a thin consistency like that of ink, oil, or lotion (for example), you can consider that the water does permeate through it and wash that which is underneath, because of the aforementioned nature of water [Ibid.].

If, however, the mascara has a paint-like consistency then it is considered a barrier for the water [Ibid.].

You mentioned in your question that the mascara you use is not waterproof. The optimal solution would be to avoid using mascara that is not waterproof, or if you can, only wear mascara on the days that you are not praying.

Hope this helps.

Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences

Beard Grooming

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Question: Is it permissible to shave the hair on the cheeks?

Answer: 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

In short, it is permissible for you to shave the hair on your cheeks.  See the following for the detailed answer.

The Beard (Lihya)

The hair that grows on the cheek is not considered a beard linguistically speaking. For this reason, it is allowed for you to shave it [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar].

Ibn Abidin – one of the great authorities in the Hanafi school – quotes from an earlier work saying, “There is no harm (bas) in taking from the eyebrows and the hair of the face as long as it doesn’t lead to resembling effeminate men” [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar citing the Mudmarat].

Hope this helps.

Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences