Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat Question Does jokingly saying talaq, without intending divorce, result in divorce? Answer I pray you are well. Yes, it does. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) mentioned that there are three types of statements in which seriousness and jest are treated the same. He said: “There are three […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What is the ruling on undertaking a forty-day spiritual seclusion (khalwa)? Answer In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate. The short answer is: do not do this without a qualified guide, and do not abandon the congregation. Spiritual seclusion (khalwa) has a sound basis in the Quran […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What are the signs of arrogance, and how can one prevent it from entering the heart? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Reality of Arrogance Arrogance, or kibr, is to have a high sense of self and to look down on others. The Messenger […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How do we understand the prophetic hadith that it is permissible to be envious of someone who has knowledge? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Reality of Envy (Hasad) Envy, as defined by scholars such as Imam Nawawi and Ibn ‘Allan al-Bakri, is to […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How should I seek guidance and emotional clarity if I am married under pressure but remain attached to someone else? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Role of Knowledge in Making Sound Decisions Knowledge empowers the believer. Through knowledge, one understands one’s rights, responsibilities, […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What is the ruling on a gifted house without a full transfer of ownership? How should it be distributed after the parent’s death? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Importance of Clarity in Ownership Matters of ownership are very critical in Islam. The early […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question I lied to a friend about a decision, not knowing that she would act on it. Am I sinful? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah grant you sincerity, truthfulness, and the ability to uphold what is pleasing to Him in all of your […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How should a person address years of missed prayers without a valid excuse? Can deliberately missed prayers be made up? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. The Obligation of Making Up Missed Prayers Yes, deliberately missed prayers must be made up. This is obligatory by […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question If I join the prayer during the imam’s tashahhud, but I do not sit on time, must I recite the tashahhud if I fear falling behind? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. Reciting the Tashahhud When Joining the Imam If a person joins the prayer […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question With knowledge readily available online, is it still necessary to learn from a teacher? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. Yes, it is necessary to learn from qualified teachers. Allah Most High has commanded us to ask those who know if we do not know, […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Are doubts about Islam a natural part of one’s faith journey? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. Faith itself is to confirm as true what the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) has come with. A believer is one who affirms […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How should we deal with people who speak on religious matters without proper knowledge? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Presence of the Unlearned in Every Age There have always been people who speak about matters beyond their knowledge. In our times, however, the […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is one sinful for repeatedly missing prayers due to forgetfulness or laziness? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. When an Excuse Becomes Repeated An excuse is typically only considered an excuse when it does not become habitual. For example, if someone shows up late to […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is it haram to support or promote content that includes uncovered women if the cause itself is good? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. Distinguishing Between the Uncovered and the Lewd These are sensitive matters that require careful distinction. There is a fundamental difference between […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Was the worship of Allah alone present before Prophethood? And how did the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) worship during that time? Answer In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Period of Fatra The time between Sayyidina ‘Isa (peace be upon him), Jesus […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is it obligatory to repeat a prayer if a necessary wajib act was omitted? Does the ruling change if the omission was intentional? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. The Ruling on Omitting a Wajib in Prayer In the Hanafi school, omitting a wajib (necessary) […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question When is the last time that I can pray the ‘Asr prayer? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. The Valid Time for the ‘Asr Prayer The valid time for the ‘Asr prayer extends from when the time of ‘Asr enters until the time of Maghrib […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Does wudu break if tears from hay fever flow down one’s face? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. If the tears are like regular tears and have the same characteristics as normal tears, then they do not break wudu. However, if one has an infection […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question When is a spiritual retreat appropriate, and how should one prepare for it? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. The Meaning of Spiritual Retreat Spiritual retreat, or i‘tikaf, is of various kinds. In the religious tradition of Islam, based on Prophetic teachings, it means to […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question If a mother becomes upset when her child visits the mosque, must the child obey and stop going? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. This matter depends on the circumstances, particularly the child’s age and the reasons behind the parent’s concern. Considering the Age and […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What is the Islamic way to disagree without causing conflict? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. A foundational principle in dealing with disagreement is humility. It is attributed to Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib that he said that if everyone who did not truly know […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How can a Muslim invest excess wealth in a way that pleases Allah Most High? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. There are several sound and praiseworthy ways in which a Muslim can invest excess wealth in a manner that is pleasing to Allah Most […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question If I pay part of the price for a property, but ownership has not yet transferred to me, do I owe zakat on the amount I have paid? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. Zakat is due only on wealth one actually possesses and owns. […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Does the hadith about women being created from a rib mean that they’re crooked or inferior? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. No. The hadith of the woman being created from the rib highlights the complementarity between men and women. A man is not complete […]