Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question May a pregnant woman leave her husband and return to her home country due to emotional abuse and an inability to safely remain with him during her waiting period? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question If someone commits major private sins like zina or drug use, can this lead to the death of loved ones as a punishment or test, even though Allah ultimately decrees death? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. While all life and death are ultimately decreed by […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is Prophet ‘Isa (peace be upon him) considered a Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace)? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. Scholars differ on this. The majority view, held by Imam Dhahabi, Taqi al-Din al-Subki, and Ibn Hajar […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Islam is fundamentally a Deen of Isnad, in which everything from learning Arabic letters to mastering complex sciences requires a teacher. Yet, we each stand before our Lord alone. Over the years, I have encountered fleeting references to the “Ijtihad of the layman.” What are the obligations of the ordinary […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question How should I dispose of my garbage when my area has no waste-management system and people use an open, possibly private, area for dumping? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. Islam offers beautiful general principles rather than specific procedures for matters such as this: In […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question After losing a pregnancy, may I use a doll as a therapeutic tool to help process my grief? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah ease your heart, accept your loss as a means of nearness to Him, and reunite you with your child […]

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel Question If I unintentionally saw flirtatious messages my father sent to other women while helping him with technology, and addressing it may cause harm or family discord, what is my Islamic responsibility in this situation? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. I pray you are […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question I smoked after Fajr during a kaffara fast out of ignorance. Does this break the entire sequence, or only that day? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. This question requires careful attention because the claim of ignorance in this matter is difficult to comprehend. […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question May the mahr be donated to charity instead of kept by the bride, and can it be in both spouses’ names? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The mahr is an obligation upon the husband that is given to the bride. Once it is […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question I previously gave incorrect religious advice. Must I inform those I advised, even if they may not have acted on it? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. If you are reasonably sure that the advice you gave was incorrect, then you should not leave […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question May a secret convert pray in private and combine prayers while living with family? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. Ease and Flexibility for New Muslims Islam gives considerable leeway to those who have newly embraced the religion. Many aspects of the religion may […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is ghusl valid with synthetic braids, or must they be removed? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Ruling on Synthetic Braids In the Shafi‘i school, synthetic braids are not permitted. For this reason, one should be cautious about using them, especially when they […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is a marriage valid if the wali was intoxicated at the time of the nikah? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Effect of Intoxication on Contracts The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “There are three matters which, whether said […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question May a wife work in a mixed environment while wearing a proper hijab and maintaining boundaries? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May a Wife Work? A wife may work if her husband permits her to do so. It is within the husband’s right […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is it sinful for a convert to sit at a table where family members are drinking alcohol? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The General Ruling It is sinful for a Muslim to sit at a table where alcohol is being consumed without a […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Must one delay Hajj until they are personally financially able, or can they perform it if someone else covers their expenses? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Condition of Financial Ability Hajj is not obligatory upon a person until they are personally financially able […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question When placing the hands above the navel in prayer, is it preferable for them to rest directly on the body? Does wearing thick clothing that prevents this affect what is recommended? Answer In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is it permissible to use a slingshot for sport or leisure, given the hadith discouraging throwing stones? Answer In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin. Using a slingshot for sport is permissible, as long […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Since Islamic law gives financial responsibility to the husband, how should we understand this when men face economic or social challenges? Does this mean society should focus on empowering men instead of women, and how does this relate to women’s right to education and personal growth? Answer In the Name […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question What exactly is a woman’s awrah in the Shafi‘i school in various settings? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The rulings of ‘awra for a woman in the Shafi‘i school differ depending on who she is in front of. The matter can be understood in […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is a person excused from prayer if praying causes severe mental harm, such as anxiety or trauma? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. This issue should be taken step by step. The Central Importance of Salah Salah is the most important act of worship after […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question If I refuse a state scholarship, but it is deposited anyway, is the money permissible to keep? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. Yes, it is permissible to keep the money, provided that it was deposited intentionally by the awarding body and not deposited by […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question There is a dua to prevent your enemies from rejoicing at your suffering. When you recite this dua, does it also apply to people amongst the Muslims who might be harboring ill feelings towards you? “Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from the difficulty of affliction, from the burden […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is it permissible to work in a company that sells both halal and haram products? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. This is a common scenario in predominantly non-Muslim societies, where many workplaces, such as grocery stores, retail stores, and similar companies, may sell both […]