Get Answers

To find an answer to a question on Islamic Practical Laws (jurisprudence questions), select a category from the left or search for your question in the field below. If you are not able to find an answer to your question, you can submit a new question by clicking here.

What is your question?

Q1. Is it permissible to commemorate majlis gatherings (azadari) in a center that has a mortgage and for which interest is being paid?

Q2. Can we pray Eid prayers in a rented hall in a hotel where there is drinking, dancing and parties in the same place?

Q3. What is the ruling for a center that needs to take a loan to build a facility when there is no Muslim bank?

Answer

A1. In general, there is no problem in using the place to perform prayers and practice religious rituals.

A2. As for the hotel rental, there is no problem in holding programs in one of its halls even if the hotel has unlawful acts in its other facilities. Furthermore, Eid prayer is held in the morning whereas programs that involve forbidden acts are usually not held until the night.

A3. Jurists authorize taking the loan from a non-Islamic bank and paying the interest back without intending that it is interest, rather it is money that is paid to prevent imposition of possible harm and preserving one’s dignity.

Tags
  • eid
  • loan
  • majalis
  • mortgage
  • mosque
  • prayer
What is your question?

Is it permissible to use easy ways in completing school work? For example, during an online class, reading is required for a quiz but I take the quiz and simultaneously look for the answers in the reading. Is this permissible Islamically (or am I committing a sin)?

Answer

It is permissible as long as doing so does not entail cheating, lying, or breaking school regulations.

Tags
  • education
  • student
What is your question?

Is it forbidden if a person thinks about other things while present in the Friday khutbah?

Answer

It is not considered haram, however, it is better to listen and be attentive.

Tags
  • mosque
  • prayer
  • thinking
What is your question?

Is a prayer valid/correct if a person says alhamdulillah or other dhikr after the second sajdah (i.e. while sitting) in the first or third rakahs?

Answer

It is permissible to recite any dhikr during salat as long as you do not intend it as an [obligatory] part of salat.

Tags
  • prayer
  • ruku
  • sajdah
What is your question?

How many months after the month of Muharram is it considered makruh to hold engagements or weddings?

Answer

It is permissible to have a wedding ceremony on any day as long as it does not coincide with sad occasions of our beloved divine leaders (pbut), although it is better to hold any happy celebrations such as wedding ceremonies in months other than Muharram and Safar during which time many of the tragic events in the history of Ahl al-Bayt (p) occurred.

Tags
  • nikkah
What is your question?

Can a person fast on the day of Arafah?

Answer

Yes, it is recommended (mustahab) to fast on the day of Arafah.

Tags
  • food
  • mustahab
What is your question?

I am a medical student and I got accepted for a part-time job as a phlebotomist. During the job interview they told me I need to wear a lab coat with short sleeves (only up to the elbow). As far as I know gloves are also not allowed and I will have to work with male patients as well. There are absolutely no exceptions. I would really appreciate it if you could let me know if I can continue with this job even if it requires my arms to be exposed.

Answer

Exposing your arms to non-mahram males and touching them without any barrier such as gloves is not permissible. The only exception are cases of necessity such as saving someone's life or if it imposes an unbearable hardship.

Tags
  • patient
  • student
What is your question?

If a woman usually has a lot of discharge during the time when she is not menstruating, is it obligatory upon her to do ghusl before every prayer? Is the discharge considered najis?

Answer

If the discharge is not blood and is not due to sexual arousal it is considered pure and does not require ghusl.

Tags
  • discharge
  • ghusl
  • menstruation
What is your question?

Is it permissible to think about sex?

Answer

It is not permissible if it leads to an unlawful act. Moreover, a believer, male or female, should not think about things that can affect their spiritual purity and cause them to be weak when encountering an unlawful act.

Tags
  • sex
  • sexual arousal
  • thinking
What is your question?

If a woman thinks about sex and has discharge, either because of the thoughts or because of her natural menstrual cycle, is it necessary for her to do ghusl? Furthermore, if she is fasting, is her fast invalidated?

Answer

It is najis if the discharge is the result of an orgasm (i.e. sexual arousal), and therefore requires ghusl, and also invalidates fasting. If the discharge is not due to sexual arousal but it came out in large amounts, based on obligatory precaution it is deemed najis and requires ghusl, and invalidates fasting. If it was not due to sexual arousal and the amount of discharge is very minute it is considered tahir and does not require anything.

Tags
  • discharge
  • ghusl
  • najis
  • orgasm
  • sexual arousal