Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Despite my efforts, my in-laws are unhappy with my social and household skills. They see my need for alone time as laziness, and their comments have hurt me. How should I respond to this situation? Answer Thank you for your question. The best way to respond to anyone criticizing […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is it permissible to choose not to marry due to widespread disregard for religious values in potential spouses? Answer Thank you for your question. It is sunna to marry, and you should make dua for a pious and religious spouse; there is no need to swear off marriage or […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is it sinful to be present when a parent is misusing someone’s money, even if I try to distance myself and advise them gently? Answer Thank you for your question. If you are gently advising your parent not to misuse the money and you are doing your best to […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My family pressures me to follow cultural practices that conflict with Islam. Is it permissible to lie to them so I can follow the religion properly? Answer Thank you for your question. You must understand lying to be the enormity that it is, and a sign of hypocrisy, and […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My in-laws have not visited or contacted me or my 9-month-old daughter since her birth, despite sending gifts occasionally. They now expect us to visit them. This has caused me emotional pain, and raising it with them hasn’t helped. How should I respond to this situation in a way […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Does obedience to a guardian mean they can control all aspects of a woman’s life, including her goals, ambitions, hobbies, and friendships (as long as they are reasonable)? What is the extent of a woman’s autonomy, and how should a guardian act within the limits of kindness and reasonableness? […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My husband’s ongoing communication with a woman he previously proposed to is causing emotional distress and threatening our marriage. How can I address this issue and protect my marriage? Answer Thank you for your question. It is not permissible for your husband to communicate with her, and unwise, and […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question A man threatened to share my pictures after I ended contact with him. He claims to have deleted them but has lied before. Can I meet him in a public place just to ensure the pictures are deleted, or is this impermissible? Answer Thank you for your question. No, […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My father has been abusive to our family for years. Recently, he became violent during Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and beat us when we spoke up. What does Islam say about enduring ongoing abuse from a parent? Can we defend ourselves, and how should we respond? Answer Thank you for […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is it permissible to name a child with a name that has pagan or shirk-related origins if I don’t believe in its original meaning and only like the name? Will I be sinful for using such a name? Answer Thank you for your question. Yes, it would be sinful […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question I committed sinful acts with someone I intended to marry. We repented, but my mother found out and now refuses the marriage, threatening to disown me and force another marriage. What should I do? Answer Thank you for your question. I empathize with your pain and frustration and I […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My husband refuses to share household expenses after we moved for my job, saying it was my choice. I now cover all costs despite just starting work, and I feel resentful. What should I do? Answer Thank you for your question. I empathize with your pain and frustration because […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question We stopped talking to preserve our relationship for marriage in the future. I intend to convert, but my family does not know, and we are not ready for a nikah. What should we do now? Answer Thank you for your question. You have done a wonderful thing by putting […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is tabarruj considered a major or minor sin? I do not engage in it, but I struggle with severe waswasa and find it hard to seek forgiveness when unsure about the level of sin. Answer Thank you for your question. Tabarruj means to show one’s beauty, and it is […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question How should I handle my father’s anger and accusations when I am unable to help my uncle and aunt, given that they misrepresent my refusal to help? Answer Thank you for your question. I empathize with the frustration of being misrepresented, and I pray that you find patience, open […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Would it be wrong to expect my wife and children to decline to stay overnight at my in-laws’ home if I am not welcome to stay? Answer Thank you for your question. They absolutely should not sleep there if you are not welcome, as the harmony of your family […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question How can I help my older brother, who isolates himself, refuses treatment for depression, and is aggressive toward our family? He uses religion to manipulate my parents, who feel guilty about his past. He doesn’t work or study and only stays with us for his needs. He refuses advice […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question How can I help my husband soften his heart toward my family without directly addressing the issue, as he sees it as siding with them? I make dua, but I see no change. Answer Thank you for your question. I pray that you can ease the tension between your […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My parents have forbidden me from using social media, and at 16, I still don’t have permission. Given my isolation as a homeschooler, can I use social media for permissible purposes without disobeying them? Answer Thank you for your question. I can’t tell you that it is fine to […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question How should we deal with an unjust parent who insults and curses us? Despite our efforts to support her, she remains dissatisfied, spends excessively, and often refuses to speak to us for months. When we reach out, she responds with insults. Apart from making dua, I feel helpless. Answer […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is it permissible to be a member of a social club that offers halal facilities like sports and dining, but also has a bar and hosts prohibited activities? The membership fee contributes to the club’s overall revenue, including haram sources. Would using the permissible facilities and avoiding the haram […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question What is the ruling on co-parenting with an abusive ex-husband who has threatened my life? Police say not to contact him, but imams say I have to. I am afraid he will steal our child or hurt me, and whenever we communicate, he just curses me. I have no […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question Is my marriage valid if my fiancé recently reverted to Islam? How can I convince my mother to consider the marriage? Answer Thank you for your question. Yes, your marriage to him is valid if he converts to Islam. Please pray istikhara on this before making your decision. Convincing […]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad Question My wealthy father neglects our needs while spending on land. He cut ties with me after I asked for financial support. Am I sinful for keeping my distance, and what is the minimum I must do to avoid disobedience in Islam? Answer Thank you for your question. He is […]