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If a non-Islamic restaurant has a sign saying “Halal” outside the door, is it permissible to eat (i.e. the meat/chicken) there?
The “Halal” sign or banner has no significance [for establishing permissibility] on its own. The main requirement in establishing a meat or chicken as halal is to have contentment that the meat is mudhakkah (i.e. slaughtered according to Islamic rules and conditions). Thus, a Muslim should assume a meat is not permissible unless:
1. it is procured from a Muslim;
2. it is procured from a Muslim land.
- food
- halal
Is it permissible to eat cheese made in the United States given it contains rennet from animal sources?
Rennet that is extracted from a muhallal or lawful to eat animal is pure even if the animal was not slaughtered according to Islamic laws. However, some companies use the internal lining of the animal’s stomach/intestines, which is impure if taken from animals that are not slaughtered according to Islamic laws. Thus, even if the rennet is pure, it becomes mutanajjis because of wet contact with the lining, and so it is unlawful to consume. In the case you do not know if the cheese is made with impure ingredients it is lawful to eat it and you do not have to investigate.
- permissibility
- rennet
I am travelling overseas, can I travel with an airline that does not allow me to pray standing up during the flight?
If it is possible to travel with another airline that allows you to pray while standing, you should do so.
- prayers
- traveling
If a Muslim man joins the military then is it Islamically allowed for him to shave his beard per military regulations?
It is not permissible to take any job that entails committing unlawful acts.
- beard
- permissibility
A recently married woman’s father is demanding that his daughter return to his home after which he wants to initiate khula divorce procedures due to personal problems with her husband’s family.
Questions:
1. Is the bride's father's case valid enough for him to decide to have his daughter get a khula?
2. Will a khula be valid without the consent or discussion with the groom?
3. Is it allowed for the father to exercise his authority as 'father of the bride' and instruct the groom to send his daughter back without his consent?
4. Who has more authority over a woman after marriage? Her husband or her father?
1. Divorce is a right given solely to the husband and no one can force him to divorce her. Furthermore, the father does not have authority to decide post-marital matters for his daughter. If matters are serious and truly detrimental to the wife [because of spousal neglect or abuse], then she must seek remediation through the marja’ or his representative.
2. The husband must be involved because the wife is required to give him a badhl (i.e. release payment), which is usually the mahr that was given to her by him. There are also other factors that require his direct participation in the process of khula.
3. The father has no such right after marriage.
4. If the term “authority” is being used to refer to guardianship, then a father has certain rights over the decisions of his unmarried (virgin) daughter, and after marriage, the husband has certain rights. However, these rights have conditions and by no means does a woman become “under the authority” of anyone.
- divorce
- parents
A person who won a lot of money from a state lottery always intended to give some amount to the Islamic center to pay off its debt. Are we allowed to donate this way (i.e. from lottery money)? And should the center accept it if they know it is money won in lottery?
It is not permissible to take part in lotteries with the intention of personally earning a profit or a prize. On the other hand, it is permissible to give money won in a lottery to an Islamic center to pay off its debt. However, it is recommended that this process is coordinated/supervised through the marj’a or his representative to ensure that all religious dues are fulfilled on that money prior to it being given to the Islamic center as a religious financial support from the marj’a.
- islamic center
- money
Is it allowed to bestow the nawafil or recommended prayers to a beloved deceased member of your family?
There is no problem in praying nawafil and sending their blessing to any beloved deceased persons at any time.
- deceased
- prayers
My husband performs temporary marriage to fulfill his sexual needs but is not intimate with me. What is Islam’s rule on this?
Temporary marriage is not objectionable in Islam. As for the fulfillment of your physical/intimate needs, it is absolutely your right. A husband must fulfill his wife's sexual needs appropriately. It is not permissible for him to abandon you/your sexual needs in this manner.
- sex
- temporary marriage
If there is dry peeling skin on the body parts of wudhu, is it sufficient to wipe/wash with water over them as normal (as if it isn't peeling), or is it necessary to wipe/wash below (i.e. by scrapping off the peeling skin first) as well?
If there is skin that is hanging loose after having peeled off, it should be removed, or water should be poured underneath it.
- wudhu
I have savings collected over the last year for the purpose of my child’s college fees. He will need it in 1-3 years, so are these liable for khums now?
If your annual Khums date arrives you must take out khums from the savings if you are able to do that and if not then as soon as you are able to take the money out you must pay khums on it.
- college / university
- khums