Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question I have heard that reciting “Rabbi ghfir li” thrice during jalsa is recommendable? is that true and can it be done in fard prayers? Answer If by “jalsa” you mean the final sitting, then: It is a confirmed sunna in the final sitting, before the final salams, to make […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question If an obligatory prayer is considerably delayed to an extent that upon completing the prayer (or in the final rak’aa), the time for the next prayer arrives, is the former prayer accepted as being prayed on time? In other words, when one commences the delayed prayer, he is on […]

Answered By Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How do you know if you are truly repentant? I always feel bad for my sins & ask forgiveness – (all past sins) but then I think am I only saying I’m sorry so I don’t go to hell or because I’m really sorry for it? Answer Allah Most […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How are the actions of morally responsible individuals categorized? Answer In the name of Allah, the inspirer of truth. All praise is to Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate, and all blessings and peace to our Master Muhammad, his family, companions, and those who follow them. The actions of those […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Can you please give me some advice on how I can control my anger? Answer In the name of Allah, the inspirer of truth. All praise is to Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate, and all blessings and peace to our Master Muhammad, his family, companions, and those who follow […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question I was wondering about doubts while fasting. I rinsed my mouth for ablution (wudu) but thereafter had doubts whether I had swallowed water or not. I understand that for matters of purification (tahara), doubts are ignored, is this the case with worship (ibadat). Answer When in such a situation, […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Could you please provide some details regarding the tahajjud prayer? What are its merits? How does one pray it? Answer Allah Most High said, “Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, and (the recital of) the Qur an at dawn. Lo! […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What is the ruling of closing one’s eyes in prayer? Where should one look when praying? Answer To close one’s eyes in prayer is somewhat disliked. This is because: it entails leaving the sunna of looking at the place of prostration, it resembles the worship of the Jews, and […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is masturbation permitted? How does one stop himself from falling into it? Answer Masturbation is prohibitively disliked and so it is sinful to engage in. It has many personal and societal ill-effects that are known and recognized in sane traditional societies and by balanced people. The early Muslims used […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is the evil eye real? How does one avoid it? Answer The evil eye is a reality. It can be powerful. Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi al-Maliki and others explain that it is from Allah’s Will that sometimes He creates harmful effects from the evil or jealous glances and […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question What does our tradition say about gifts? Answer I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits. It is sunna to give gifts. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Exchange gifts (frequently), and you’ll grow to love one another.” [Bukhari] It […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Can you please mention some of the merits of Dhu’l Hijja and some acts of worship that can be done in the month? Answer In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate The first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah are blessed days: Allah Most High Himself swore by […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Can supplication (dua) change destiny (qadr)? Answer There is no doubt that the Divine Decree is eternal and beyond time, and therefore not subject to “change.” Dua changes destiny in the relative sense: it is a means (like other means) towards the good, so it turns to the flow […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Is it permissible to kill insects and harmful animals through means of traps? Answer In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful To kill animals and insects which are harmful to one’s self or belongings (such as pests) is permissible. At the same time, maximum effort should be […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How does one perform the prayer of need (salat al-haja)? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, and all blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad, his Folk, Companions and those who follow their noble way, Abullah ibn Abi Awfa (Allah be pleased with him) relates […]

Answered by Faraz Rabbani Question Can I shower with my 18-month-old child? Can my wife do so? Answer You and your wife can shower with your child, but you must keep your own nakedness (‘awra) decently covered. As the child gets older and modesty becomes more emphasized, more caution would be required– and then children […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Could you please detail the fiqh of chronic excuses and ablution? Answer If someone has a chronic excuse (‘udhr) such as being unable to stop intermittent drops of urine or one whose bowels have become loose, should: perform wudu at the time of every fard prayer and pray with […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Can you give some advice on developing good social relationships with in-laws, especially when they ( seem to) come with a lot of cultural baggage? Answer The key is being expressive in one’s husn al-khuluq (excellence of conduct and character), upholding respect and appreciation, and being careful not to […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question How should business life look in terms of gender interaction? Does it mean that one keeps a serious face (and not smiling)? Is it improper if one’s disposition is to use (modest subtle) humor even in business-like interactions? Where is the balance in this? Answer It is helpful in […]

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Question Do the rulings of looking apply to someone looking at people in pictures and on television? Answer Yes, one cannot deliberately look at that which is impermissible to look at, in print or electronically. And Allah alone gives success. [Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying […]

In this brief podcast, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani provides 10 genuinely useful tips on gaining and retaining a firm grasp of your knowledge of fiqh. Listen to it now. See also: “From knowing nothing to becoming a student of knowledge” Advice from Habib Ali Al-Jifri for Seekers of Knowledge The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge Habib Umar’s […]