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Prayer timetables vary a lot; therefore, how do we determine the time of dawn (Fajr) in order to abstain from eating and drinking and perform prayer?
The time of fajr starts when light spreads horizontally from the eastern horizon and continues to increase in brightness. Thus, a person must have knowledge or attain contentment that it has occurred. Prayer timetables are based on estimated astronomical calculations. Thus, a person may rely on them if they are content in their accuracy. Otherwise they should observe precaution by abstaining from eating and drinking a few minutes before the estimated time of fajr and delaying the morning prayer by a few minutes.
- dawn
- fajr
- prayer time
- prayers
How is the first day of the lunar month established? Can a person rely on astronomical calculations?
The basis for establishing the beginning of the lunar month is the appearance of the crescent moon on the horizon such that it can be sighted with the naked eye unless there are clouds or other obstacles. Thus, the beginning of the lunar month is proven by one of the following:
1. Knowledge from actually sighting the crescent with one’s own naked eye.
2. Knowledge [of the appearance of the crescent] received from multiple eyewitness accounts
3. Contentment attained from the spread of news among people.
4. Contentment attained from rational means.
5. The passing of thirty days since the start of the previous month.
6. The testimony of two just men who testify that they have sighted the crescent, provided their testimony is not contradicted by another testimony.
- moonsighting
Is it permissible to get a COVID-19 vaccination while fasting in the month of Ramadan if the duty-bound person knows or thinks there is a strong likelihood of experiencing side-effects like nausea or pain that will make fasting difficult?
It is permissible to get the vaccination [during the month of Ramadan], and it might even be obligatory under certain conditions such that delay is not warranted. Getting the vaccine (via intramuscular injection) does not invalidate the fast, even if it subsequently results in nausea or pain, because it is not considered to be one of the fast-nullifiers. If the person is forced to break their fast because they are unable to bear it then it is alright to do so and they must make it up later.
- COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- fasting
- ramadan
- vaccine
What is a believer’s religious obligation when dealing with someone who claims to be an agent of Imam Mahdi (at)?
Believers must exercise caution and verify any matters concerning the Imam because false claims and actions based on supernatural suppositions cause disturbance and strife in the era of his occultation. The appearance of the Imam will be coupled with an indisputable proof and clear evidence from God, such that the believer will know with certainty, and there will be nothing obscured on the path to salvation. Therefore, anyone who preempts this will only go astray. In these times, there is no salvation except to turn to the scholars who have been tested and who have earned their position of knowledge, service, and piety, and a complete adherence to the rules of the sacred sharia and resorting to lofty ethics.
- claims
What is the ruling if I have missed fasts from the previous month of Ramadan and I do not make them up before the next month of Ramadan begins?
You are still obligated to make up the missed fasts, and based on obligatory precaution, you must offer a Kaffarah for delaying the missed fasts, which is to feed one needy person for each day missed.
- fasting
- kaffarah
- qadha
- ramadan
Does the hand of a Muslim become impure (mutanajjis) if it touches the wet hand of a Christian or a Hindu?
The hand of a Muslim does not become impure if it touches the hand of someone from the people of the book (i.e., Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians) unless the Muslim knows, even if previously, that their hand has acquired some impurity that can be transferred. As for anyone other than the people of the book (e.g., Hindus, Sikh, others), touching their hands with wetness causes a Muslims hand to become impure (mutanajjis) based on obligatory precaution.
- najasat
- najis
- purity
I wish to observe a recommended fast in Rajab and Shaban, however, I have a missed fast to make up from the month of Ramadan. Which one should I perform? Can the two be combined?
It is not permissible to observe a recommended fast if you have to make up a missed fast from the month of Ramadan. However, there is no problem in making up the missed fast on a day in which it is recommended to fast with the hope of earning the reward for both.
- fasting
- qadha
- rajab
- ramadan
- shaban
What is the ruling on removing hair by laser from the private areas by a specialist?
It is permissible to remove hair from the private areas using laser. However, it is not permissible to expose the private areas such that it entails unlawful looking or touching, except in the case of dire necessity, which is usually not applicable since other hair removal methods are available, unless not doing so results in serious harm or unbearable hardship.
- grooming
- hair
Is there a cure or solution for constant doubt (wiswas)? What should a person who suffers from it do when they are concerned about their own ritual purity?
A person who suffers from constant doubt (wiswas) must ignore it, and everything that they doubt to be pure should be considered pure, even if they are sure it has become impure. They are excused in this matter before God, even if their prayers are performed with an impurity (e.g., on their clothes) or their food has acquired some impurity.
- doubt
- purity
I understand that in order to go for an obligatory hajj that I must have my debts paid off. Does this apply to mortgages and student loans, which include interest and will take a long time to pay off?
If you took the money with the intention of istinqadh (see Manual of Islamic Laws for more details) and not a loan then you would not be considered in debt and that amount of money taken (i.e., for mortgage) would be included in your assets. As a result, hajj would become obligatory if you become mustati or religiously meeting the financial criteria of being capable to perform it.
- hajj
- loans