Answered by Ustadh Omar Popal Question When does Maghreb end? Answer Dear questioner,   Thank you for your important question.   Most Islamic Applications for prayer timings are correct and can be followed. However, it is important for every Muslim to know the basic prayer times. Consider taking this class to excel in your knowledge […]

Question: How can I make up a large number of missed fasts? Answer:  Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. May Allah reward you for your pious intentions and resolve. As you know, these are fasts that you must make up (qada’), and making expiatory payments (fidya) will not suffice. My advice is that […]

Question: What are the different Arabic words for impurity? Answer:  Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. The three terms you are asking about are all connecting linguistically. Najisun (نَجِسٌ): a derived noun (ism mushtaq) which means “impure”. ex. الماءُ نَجِسٌ – the water is impure (i.e. containing something which is considered filthy in […]

Question: Is the Prostration of Forgetfulness necessary if the imam is reminded? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. In this situation, the Prostration of Forgetfulness (Sajda al-Sahw) is not required. “The Imam who forgets to sit in the 2nd unit of prayer but then remembers and is closer to the ground returns […]

Question: What is the difference between the age of discernment and puberty? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. Discernment (tamyiz) would be the child’s ability to understand right from wrong. The older a child grows, the more discernment he/she obtains. Puberty (bulugh) would be the child’s reaching an age where they are […]

Question: How does one perform ruku’? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. The bending that you describe is permissible. Be sure not to bend your knees such that you are closer to the floor or resembling going from standing (qiyam) to prostration (sujud) Also, please see the answer to a similar question […]

Question: Is my husband divorce valid through vague text message? Answer: Wa Alaykum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. When a husband writes a text message to his wife saying “I divorce you”, the divorce takes place, regardless of intention. [Ibn Aabideen, al-Hashiyah] When a husband writes a […]

Question: Does tasting blood break the fast? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. 1. Tasting blood does not break the fast. Swallowing blood breaks the fast if (a) the blood reaches the throat and (b) the blood is greater or equal to the saliva it mixes with [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]. 2. […]

Question: Do I lose all of my good deeds by missing the Asr Prayer? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. The Hadith you are referring to is: Abdullah Ibn `Umar narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever misses the `Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as […]

Question: Can one make up prayers for a family member? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. May Allah reward you for your pious intentions. It is not permissible to pray (salat) on behalf of any individual, whether alive or deceased. There is no text in the Sacred Law allowing such a thing, […]

Question: Salaam if you have an erotic dream with if without orgasm but upon awakening there is no wetness or discharge. Do you then go to the toilet to investigate or leave it? And should ghusl be performed? Answer: Thank you for your important question. If you do not experience orgasm, wetness, or discharge, then […]

Question: Are the two rakats sunna muakkada after Salat al-Isha included in eleven rakat Qiyam al-Layl? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. The Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) is generally that which is prayed after the Nightfall Prayer (‘Isha). The Night-Vigil prayer (Tahajjud) is that which is prayed after the nightfall prayer (‘Isha) […]

Question: Can I use a brush made from boar? Answer:  Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. May Allah reward you for following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) in combing and oiling your beard. Anas ibn Malik reports: “God’s Messenger often applied lotion to his head […]

Question: Can I say Merry Christmas? Answer: Dear questioner, Thank you for your important question. As Muslims, we honor Prophet Isa (Allah bless him and give him peace). There is no harm in greeting Christians as long as the greeting does not imply an affirmation of their belief in the Trinity. “Merry Christmas” is a […]