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Is it obligatory for the community of believers in non-Muslim countries to establish a private cemetery for burying their dead, especially since transporting bodies abroad may conflict with some religious rulings, such as drawing blood or removing the tissue from the body of the deceased, or if transportation constitutes a financial burden on the family of the deceased? How does one deal with the body of a dead Muslim who has no guardian or who has a guardian but does not abide by the Islamic code of law?

The guardian (wali) must prepare the deceased Muslim and bury them in a suitable place, other than a non-Muslim cemetery. If they do not have a guardian, or their guardian refuses to carry out the burial or is unable to do so, then it is obligatory upon all Muslims to carry it out [if one carries it out the obligation is lifted from the rest]. If fulfilling this communal duty requires procuring a piece of land in advance and making it a cemetery by purchasing it, then it is necessary to do so.

• death / rituals

Is it permissible to get married on the days commemorating the death anniversaries of the infallibles, such as the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahraa (p) or the days of Muharram and Safar?

It is permissible to the extent required based on customary necessity. Even then, it is necessary, as much as possible, to choose a time that does not interfere with the decorum of mourning and grief during the days of the calamities of the Ahl al-Bayt (pbut), just as one usually does not hold [such happy occasions] on days they are grieving over a loved one. However, if it is considered a violation [of the sanctity of Ahl al-Bayt (pbut)] such as holding a joyous celebration with decorations and ornamentation, then it is not permissible.

• marriage
• permissibility

Some of the employees at grocery stores (e.g., cashiers) have to deal with wine among the customers other goods during checkout, which sometimes requires handling it and giving it to the customer or only receiving its price. Is that permissible?

It is permissible to work [at a grocery store] but it is not permissible to handle wine or serve it to anyone, even if they consider it lawful to drink. As for the cost of wine, it is permissible for the employee to receive the payment if the two parties to the sale are non-Muslims. 
Moreover, it is not permissible for a Muslim to be hired to sell or serve wine or wash its utensils in preparation for drinking. Similarly, it is not allowed for them to take the wages for this work because it is prohibited and not justified by dire need for money.
God says, “Whoever is wary of Allah, He shall make for him a way out and provide for him from whence he does not count upon. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him.” ِThe Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) is reported to have said, “No soul will die before receiving its allotted sustenance in full, so fear Allah and seek [your livelihood] appropriately, and do not let delay in sustenance make you seek it by means of disobeying Allah.”

• permissibility
• wine

Is DNA testing permissible and legitimate to rely upon to identify a child’s biological father?

If the test shows that the DNA/genetics of a child and man match, then the results should be considered accordingly because the criteria for the ruling upon which a newborn is confirmed as the offspring of a certain man is based on its formation from his sperm. Thus, the [subsequent] rulings for that child as the man’s offspring would be based on that.

• permissibility

Some believers work in several different fields, and sometimes they notice that part of their money, albeit a little, has become mixed with unlawful money. What is their religious duty?

If the amount of the unlawful money and its owner are known, then they must return it to the owner. If they do not know the owner, then the amount must be given to charity (sadaqah) on their behalf.

• money

The behavior of some employees is questionable and draws attention from a religious perspective. Is it permissible for an employee to work less than the required hours and leave work early, miss work for the whole day, or perform work for another party during working hours (e.g., via the internet), when doing so is with the knowledge and awareness of the supervisor and even some of the other employees. Should grievances be paid for not continuing to perform work during official hours? What is the employee’s duty towards past instances during which work was not performed?

The criteria in these and similar circumstances is to avoid violating institutional policy and adhering to the employment contract and its conditions, and if it is violated, the employee is not entitled to the amount of salary equivalent to the time missed, and as such, they must pay it to the religious needy people.

• permissibility
• work

What is the Islamic perspective on life insurance? Do we consider it as a guarantee, a conditional gift, or a contract? Is it permissible for a Muslim to insure their life and the lives of their family? Is it permissible for a Muslim to be the owner of a life insurance company? If a believer dies, are the funds received by the family considered inheritance?

Life insurance is an independent contract, and a Muslim may insure their life and the lives of their family. It is also permissible for a Muslim to own a life insurance company, provided that they do not engage in usury, like doing so for investment and [condition to receive] a share of a percentage of the profit between the owner and the insurer. As for what is disbursed to the family members of the deceased, it is not considered inheritance, but rather the property of the person named.

• insurance
• permissibility

How should a Muslim in a non-Muslim country act with respect to the purity of a prospective house they wish to live in, whether renting or buying, which may have furniture that was used by people before them and it is not known whether they are People of the Book like Jews and Christians, or others like Buddhists or even atheists?

They should consider the house to be pure (tahir) as long as they do not know or are not certain that it has become impure, and mere suspicion of it being impure does not have any significance.

• non muslim
• purity

Is it permissible to resort to magic for doing good things and defeating Satan through written symbols and words for protection (hirz) or talismans, for example, by writing on a mug and drinking water from it with the intention of healing, or writing on paper to carry all the time? Is it permissible to harness the jinn in this case?

It is prohibited to learn, teach, use, and gain from magic in all its forms, even when used to stop [other] magic, unless it is [absolutely] necessary for a matter of greater benefit such as saving the life of a respected person who is under the influence of magic. As for harnessing jinn, it is prohibited if it harms a person who must not be harmed.

• haram
• permissibility

Sometimes wi-fi connections are available without encryption and are accessible for free when using mobile devices such as smartphones, iPads, or laptops in various places like near a restaurant, shop, or even a neighboring apartment, for example. Is it permissible to use this free service without the permission of its owners?

If there is no presumption or signs that show the owner’s disapproval, there is no problem in it.

• permissibility