Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question If someone kills a Muslim believing the person to be a non-Muslim, is this considered accidental killing? Does the ruling differ based on circumstances? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate In the Shafi‘i school, the ruling is based on the intention behind the act, […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question In the Shafi‘i school, if three divorces are issued after valid seclusion but before intercourse, do all three count, or only one, such that remarriage is possible without an intervening marriage? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. Most scholars, including the Shafi‘i, Hanafi, Maliki, and […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Can a Hajj Tamattu‘ pilgrim who has completed Umra and exited ihram perform the Tawaf of Arrival (Tawaf al-Qudum) upon entering the Sacred Mosque during the period before Hajj begins? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. The Hajj preceded by Umra (Hajj Tamattu‘) has no […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question If a person has a receding hairline, is it permissible to treat it, and where does the face begin and end for the purposes of ablution? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. In the Shafi‘i school, the upper boundary of the face in ablution (wudu) […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Based on Imam Shafi‘i’s statement in al-Umm and Imam Nawawi’s transmission in al-Majmu‘, is trimming the beard during Hajj or Umra recommended or just allowed? Also, is there a specific amount that must be trimmed? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. In the Shafi‘i school, […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is there leeway in determining the age of criminal responsibility in Islamic law, taking into account modern understandings of mental maturity and social factors, especially when imposing severe punishments? How should a Muslim state address cases involving young individuals who may not fully comprehend their actions? Answer In the […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question I just want to know if there is any hadith (weak or authentic) in which the Caliph Umar (Allah be pleased with him) discouraged women from writing. If there is, please give me the details of that hadith. Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question I have a question that confuses me. Her husband asked Atiqa bint Zayd not to marry after he was martyred, and a year later, Umar told her to get married to him. I am curious how that reconciles with Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr’s worldly wishes and his wishes in the […]

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick Question Is it confirmed in the Sunna to verbally warn pests before removing or killing them? Does this apply to all types of pests? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. It is confirmed in the Sunna that a snake found inside the home should be verbally […]

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 […]