Get Answers

Is it permissible for women to grow their nails long? What is the ruling on using nail polish, glitter, beads or artificial nails, especially if it protects the [natural] nails from breaking, in addition to being an adornment?

There is no objection to growing the nails and coating them [with nail polish, etc.] per se. However, the coating or whatever is attached to the nail must be removed before ablution (wudu) and ritual washing (ghusl) since it prevents water from reaching the nail. Moreover, the aforementioned reason (i.e., protection) does not absolve one of the rules. It is also not permissible to display adornment to a non-mahram man.

• nailpolish
• permissibility

Some women like to put false eyelashes such that they are individually fastened between their natural eyelashes, which may remain for several days. What is the ruling on using these eyelashes in terms of the validity of ablution (wudu) and ritual wash (ghusl)?

This hinders the validity of ablution (wudu) and ritual washing (ghusl), therefore it is not permissible to use based on obligatory precaution unless, for example, it is necessary to lift an unbearable hardship. Moreover, if it is considered an ornament it must be covered [in front of a non-mahram male] based on obligatory precaution.

• ghusl
• wudhu

Are facial cosmetics for women or moisturizing oils for the skin an obstacle to the validity of ablution (wudhu) or ritual washing (ghusl), or a barrier between the forehead and the place of prostration?

If one deems it probable that such products prevent water from reaching the skin it must be removed prior to ablution (wudhu) or ritual washing (ghusl) unless one is confident that it will not constitute a barrier such as if it were very minute and not thick.

• cosmetic products
• ghusl
• wudhu

Is it permissible for a man who wishes to get married to approach a divorced woman during her waiting period (iddah) and express his interest in marrying her once her waiting period is over?

It is not permissible to express an interest in marriage or insinuate a proposal of marriage to a married woman or one who is in a revocable waiting period of divorce (iddah raj’iyyah) when there is danger of it causing the woman to become recalcitrant, and based on obligatory precaution, should not be done under any circumstance. As for a woman in an irrevocable waiting period (iddah ba’inah), whether due to death or some other reason, it is permissible to intimate a proposal of marriage; rather, it is permissible to explicitly express interest.

• divorced woman
• marriage

People celebrate with or without a specific reason on many occasions throughout the year, each according to their traditions and customs, and among these occasions is a holiday known as Valentine’s Day. Is it permissible to celebrate it?

If it does not involve promotion of corruption (prohibited practices) or misguidance, then there is no objection.

• holidays
• permissibility

If an engagement [between a man and woman] is completed through an Islamic marriage contract, but the wedding and the move to the marital home have yet to take place, is it obligatory to observe marital rights, such as financial maintenance, sexual intercourse, or seeking permission from the husband where it is required during that period?

The couple become husband and wife religiously after the enactment of such a marriage contract. However, the wife is not obligated to make herself available for sexual intercourse or seek the husband’s permission in matters where it is ordinarily required, just as the husband is not obligated to financially maintain her if the marriage contract was predicated on the condition that it will occur after the wedding, even if this condition is based on common understanding or urf.

• marriage
• rights

Is khums due on the money deposited into an employee savings account, such as a 401-K or IRA account? The savings in these accounts increase over time as a small percentage is taken from the employee’s salary and the employer adds a similar percentage to it. Both are then invested and the entire savings are given to the employee upon retirement.

Khums is immediately due on the percentage that is contributed from the employee’s salary. On the other hand, the amount contributed by the employer and the investment profits are not subject to khums until received by the employee and they have exceeded the expenses for the year of receipt.

• 401K
• khums
• retirement

Some believers work in supermarkets or restaurants where their duties may include transporting containers of wine or washing glasses in which wine will be served to those who consider it permissible. Is such work permissible for a person who is desperate for a job?

It is not permissible to transport wine or serve it to anyone, even to those who consider it permissible. Furthermore, it is not permissible to wash the dishes or give them to others if the purpose is to drink wine. It is not permissible for a Muslim to perform such prohibited work or accept any wages for it, as it is unjustifiable in Islamic law. God says [65:2-3], “Whoever is wary of God, He shall make for him a way out [of the adversities of the world and the Hereafter] and provide for him from whence he does not count upon. And whoever puts his trust in God, He will suffice him.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) is reported to have said, “Know that Jibrail has inspired [God’s message] in my heart that no soul shall die until its sustenance is completed. Therefore, be wary of God and be moderate in seeking [sustenance]; and let not the delay in getting your share of the sustenance make you seek it through disobeying Him, for the Blessed and Almighty God has divided the sustenance among His creation by means that are permissible and not through those that are prohibited. So, whosoever is wary of God and has patience, He will provide them with sustenance from lawful [means]; but whosoever tears apart the curtain of propriety, makes haste, and acquires their portion from unlawful [means], it will be deducted from their lawful sustenance and they will be held accountable for it on the Day of Resurrection.”

• wine
• work

Is it permissible to congratulate or give greetings to non-Muslims on their holidays? Furthermore, is it permissible to participate in their celebrations?

It is permissible to congratulate or greet people of the book (i.e., Christians and Jews) or other religions on the occasions they celebrate, such as New Year’s Day, birth of Jesus (p) on Christmas, and Easter. And there is no problem participating in their celebrations per se, unless it entails engaging in impermissible practices or the promotion of false beliefs.

• holidays

Women often gather for various religious and general activities during which the time for prayer falls. They wish to perform it in congregation to earn its reward and the social benefits that it provides. However, some ladies inquire whether it is permissible for a woman to raise her voice in the call to prayer (adhan) and for one of them to lead congregational prayer, such that she recites the iqamah and takbir aloud and the other women follow her.

It is permissible for a woman to follow another woman in congregational prayer provided that the woman leading it meets the conditions of being just (i.e., performs her obligatory duties and avoids sins), reciting correctly, and other requirements. Moreover, the woman leading the prayer must stand with the rest of the women in the first row and not ahead of them based on obligatory precaution. As for a woman raising her voice in the call to prayer, it is permissible provided that it does not entail softening and beautifying such that it would normally arouse the listener.

• congregation
• jamaa
• prayers
• women