Q1. Is it religiously permissible to marry a woman from the people of the book under the Canadian Law? 

A1. The majority of Muslim jurists are of the opinion that it is makrouh (religiously disliked) for a Muslim to marry a woman of the people of the book in a non-Muslim country. If a person finds it necessary, he must fulfil all conditions and Islamic legal requirements to make it Islamically valid. Here in Canada, there exists within the Muslim communities abundant Islamically qualified persons (ma'zoons) who are authorized by the Canadian government to perform the marriage contract.

Q2. What is the Islamic rule regarding dealing with banks engaged in rebawi (interest) transactions, such as opening checking accounts or letter of credit accounts?

A2. It is concedable for a Muslim living in Canada to open a checking account if there is a need for doing so. Those who want to be pure from any shubuhat (doubts), they must give away the interests paid by the banks on their deposits. Also, it is permissible for Muslim businessmen who find it necessary to open letter of credit accounts to do so with a condition not to be involved in interest transactions.

Q3. What is the Islamic position on purchasing a home through a bank's mortgage with interest?

A3. It is prohibited for a Muslim to buy a home by getting a mortgage with interest from the bank except under the condition of absolute necessity.

Q4. What is the Islamic ruling regarding purchasing cars or furniture through what is known as leasing?

A4. It is Islamically prohibited for a Muslim to buy furniture, cars, or things like that through leasing because it is an interest trick.

Q5. What is the Islamic ruling regarding the insurance on cars, furniture, properties and also life insurance?

A5. Life Insurance is Islamically prohibited because it is considred to be a kind of organized gambling backed by agreements and contracts between insurance companies and the insureds. However, commercial insurance against damage and responsibilities that is necessitated by private or public considerations or required by law, such as car insurance, is permissible in this country because there exists no Islamic insurance companies.

Q6. What is the Islamic ruling regarding eating the meat of animal slaughtered by Jews and Christians?

A6. In order to diminish the hardship facing Muslims, Allah S.W. made it permissable for Muslims to eat the meat of Islamically allowed animals slaughtered by Jews and Christians with the condition that their way of slaughtering must conform with the Islamic way of slaughtering.

As for the seller of meat, there is no difference whether he/she is a Muslim, a Christian, a Jewish or an unbeliever. However, it should be noted that if the person doing the slaughtering happened to be an idol worshipper, a hindu, or an theist the meat becomes forbidden regardless of the religion of the seller.

Q7. What is the Islamic ruling with respect to subjecting chickens, cows and other animals and birds to electric shocks before pursuing the mechanical slaughtering?

A7. Using an electric shock with the purpose of calming the animal or the bird down before slaughter and without causing death is acceptable. Afterward, there is no Islamic prohibition in doing the cutting, the separation of meats from bones, and canning mechanically.

Q8. Is it permissable for a Muslim to participate in a retirement plan or an unemployment plan that is offered by institutions, companies and governments?

A8. It is acceptable to participate in unemployment insurance plans. As for the retirement plan, its circumstances may be different among government, banks and other institutions and I do not have a detailed understanding of these circumstances in order to give Fatwa (religious ruling) on this subject.

Q9. What is it in joining the Canadian army, the police force or working in the Canadian government departments or ministries?

A9. It is permissable for a Muslim to work in an Islamically allowable occupation in government departments and institutions if his work does not lead to prohibited actions (the same answer to question 11, 12, and 13).

Q10. Is it permissible to work in interest-related banks and insurance companies in Canada?

A10. Muslims must be far from such jobs.

Q11. What is Islam's judgement of a person who listens to music of different kinds and songs especially the high sounding music and the evil songs that are aired here in the country?

A11. Basically the recurrence of music is allowed in Islam to listen to. Otherwise Muslims would be prohibited from listening to sounds of birds, the flow of water or the movement of trees by winds, as each has its own music. What is forbidden is to listen to any music or song that is attached to something prohibited or that is used as a means to something prohibited or that which prevented from doing what is a duty.

It is, however, clear that songs in this country with all the high sound music accompanying them and the evil meanings repeated by lustful singers and all that leads to raising the desire for dancing, drinking alcohol and evil deeds all this makes such singing and music prohibited in Islam.

Q14. What if a Muslim selected Canada as a permanent place of residence?

Q15. Some Muslims say that migration to a Muslim country is an obligation upon every Muslim, what about Canadian Muslims who do not have a Muslim country to which they migrate?

Q16. In Canada a Muslim enjoys civil and potential rights which often do not exist in any Arab or Muslim country, would he move from freedom and honour to repression and persecution?

A14-16. The answers to these three questions are interrelated and complementary, the details of which are as follows:

"In principle, if a Muslim living in a country can not perform his religion as freely as ordained, and if he knew that in other than his country, he would be more capable of fulfilling his duties toward Allah and he would become more steady in his worship, his migration becomes genuine." Regarding migration from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim country, the jurisprudents of Islam have differentiated between two cases:

The first, if he is capable to demonstrate his religion in a non-Muslim country and he is not afraid of being persecuted because of it, then his migration to a Muslim country becomes non-obligatory, however, it is preferable if he can.

The second, if he is unable to demonstrate his religion freely in a non-Muslim country, then his residency in that country becomes prohibited, and his migration to a Muslim country becomes obligatory if he can, otherwise he is religiously excused until he can.

Q17. What is the ruling regarding a Muslim changing his name to a Canadian name hoping to escape discrimination in Canada, to obtain a job or in order to avoid harassment from Muslim countries?

A17. It is prohibited. It is a turning point from the religion of Islam and getting melted in a non-Muslim pot and the excuses brought about are not religiously acceptable to commit this act.

Q18. Why it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry non-Muslims? and what is the wisdom behind it?

A18. It was stated that a Muslim man would not hurt his wife who belongs to the people of the book, whether in herself (physically) or in her religion, because he believes in all the prophets and the messengers of Allah and because the ethics of Islam prevent him from mistreating her. Whereas, it is doubtful that a non-Muslim would not hurt his Muslim wife in her beliefs or in her worships because he does not believe in the message of Islam and because his religion would not deter him from that.

It was also stated that women are generally weaker than men and they are more susceptible to temptation. So if a Muslim woman is married to a non-Muslim man, her husband may lure her away from Islam toward his religion.

It was also stated that Islam requires that the leadership in the family must be for man and that the law of Islam surpasses all laws.

My opinion is that fulfilling this Islamic requirement is an act of worship and does not need to be justified on any basis and all the justifications stated above are matters of opinion.

Q19. What is the ruling of Islam of a Muslim who stays away from the Muslim community in Canada and who does not keep coming to their mosques or their meetings, therefore, getting melted in the Canadian society?

A19. For a Muslim staying away from his righteous and pious Muslim brothers and risking losing his Islamic identity is one of the greatest sins "for the wolf eats the distant sheep." In this case it is obligatory upon him to hasten to enhance his link with the righteous Muslims and to increase his cooperation with them for the welfare of Islam and Muslims in this land.

Q20. What is the ruling regarding burying Muslims in non-Muslim cemeteries?

A20. In principle, this is not allowed unless in the case of necessity. Therefore, it becomes an obligation upon the Muslim communities to do what they can to purchase a separate cemetery for the purpose of burying the dead Muslims.

Q21- Can a Muslim woman take off her Hejab in Canada under the pretext that she wants to get rid of discrimination troubles and to prevent being fired from her job and similar excuses?

A21. No. It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to take off her Hejab for those excuses or similar ones. The Muslim community should seriously endeavour to establish commercial, industrial, medical and educational institutions which would provide good job opportunities for committed Muslim women without being harassed due to their faith.

Q22. Who is considered sinful for not establishing Islamic schools, banks and institutions that help Muslims practise their religion in Canada?

A22. The sinful are those Muslims who are residents of this country; because establishing the said institutions is obligatory so that if they are established by some of them, then the rest are relieved of the responsibility; but if all Muslims neglect this duty they are all sinful.

Q23. Is it possible to take financial aid from the Canadian government to establish Islamic schools and institutions in Canada?

A23. Yes. It is allowed in Islam to accept financial help from the Canadian government for this purpose.

Q24. Is it allowed in Islam to use financial assistance from the Canadian government to implement relief and development project in favour of Muslims in developing countries?

A24. Yes indeed. This is permissible in Islam.

Q25. What is the position of Islam concerning mixed education forced on Muslims, even for those who try to learn the language of these people?

A25. This is one of the common tragedies for Muslims. If, however, does not exempt Muslim residents of this country of the religious responsibility to establish Islamic schools that abide by the regulations of Islam and observe Islamic conduct and try to bring up Muslim youth according to the guidance of Islam, the religion of truth.

Q26. What is the judgement of Islam concerning the visa, the MasterCard, America Express or other similar cards?

A26. It is basically permissible to issue such credit cards and to use them as long as they are free from the element of interest transactions.

Q27. Is it true that watching TV is prohibited in Canada?

A27. The TV is a neutral set, and the judgement on what is watched from it depends on its quality; thus useful programs that contain no un-Islamic items are permissible in Islam, otherwise all programs on sex, evil or corruption are prohibited.

Q28. What is the judgement of government financial aid to poor Muslim family, and the family bonus?

A28. A Muslim can take these aids from the Canadian government.

Q29. Is it allowed in Islam to use tricks and cheating to get financial aid from the Canadian government?

A29. Using tricks or cheating or lies to obtain financial aids from the Canadian government is forbidden in Islam. Muslims should be perfect examples of honesty and trustworthiness in their financial dealings with non-Muslims.

Q30. Is it allowed to invite people to food and to listen to lectures given by Muslim scholars against certain charges or fees that will be used for a certain Islamic cause?

A30. There is no harm in this from the Islamic point of view.

Q31. Can Muslims sharing the same city differ on Islam feasts (the smaller and the sacrifice feasts)? Although the purpose behind such difference may sometimes be to obtain worldly benefits or due to hatred of other Muslims?

A31. Difference among members of the Muslim community and its institutions in the same Canadian city concerning fasting Ramadan, breaking their fast and their celebration of the Islamic feasts is an indicator of their perversion. It is also a proof of the control of the grip of ignorance and personal whims over their affairs. This phenomenon warns of an evil future should Muslims continue following this ill-omened division and conflict. Remember the Quran verse: (And fall into no disputes, last you lose heart and your power depart). 8-46.

Q32. What is the Islamic view of celebrating Isra and Miraj, the Prophet's birthday and other similar occasions where food is offered, songs are sung and sometimes flags are raised. Sometimes also these occasions are used to remind Muslims and teach them their religion?

A32. It is not allowed in Islam to celebrate Isra and Miraj, and the Prophet's birthday as two Islamic feasts where food is served, songs are sung and flags are raised etc. As for seizing these occasions to warn people and remind them of the teachings of their religion, the obedience to their Lord, teach them what they need of the legislations of their law and enjoin them to observe unity and harmony and to abandon whims, racial bias and personal ends, all this is good in the sight of Islam.

Q33. Is it allowed to share Jews and Christians their feasts like Christmas and others?

A33. It is absolutely prohibited for Muslims to participate with Jews and Christians in observing their religious feasts like Christmas and others. This is because whoever imitates any group of people he will be one of them on the Day of Judgement God forbids.

Q34. Is there a special uniformed dress for Muslims? Is wearing suits, shirts, neck ties and other types of dress forbidden for Muslims?

A34. There is no one uniform dress for Muslim males as long as they put on the familiar dress of their environment provided that it covers one's shame, unless the dress is special for Jewish rabbis or Christian priests or others. Then in this case it is not allowed to imitate them.

Q35. What about listening to songs and music and what are the limits of what is allowed if any?

A35. Listening to songs and music are part of the culture and life of non-Muslims who resort them as a method of consolation against their feeling of desertion as a result of their distance from God and due to their being cut off from the true religion. Thus songs and music become a factor of recreation from a disbeliever who is unmindful of his Lord and forgetful of what he was created for.

A true Muslim, however, is one who remembers his Lord at all times, he is perpetually attached to His glory seeking His help, depending on Him and surrendering to His will in full obedience and supplication. Such a person finds his pleasure in God, his happiness in God's obedience doing all that pleases God. His utmost bliss is manifested in his remembrance of God, his gratitude to Him and his consciousness of his Lord, in addition to his acceptance of all that Allah wills for him. Thus songs and music (which are the four for the unmindful of God) have no place in the heart and mind of the Muslim nor in his culture and life.

Q36. What is the Islamic judgment of a Muslim who does not observe daily prayers or the one who neglects some prayers?

A36. There is no difference among Muslim scholars that the person who abandons prayer rejecting it as an obligation is a non-Muslim. He is to be treated as an apostate. As far the person who is neglectful of prayer due to laziness while he believes it to be incumbent on him, then he is in fact committing a major sin for which he deserves a punishment in the Hereafter according to what Allah threatened those who commit major sins. Some jurists, however, said: This is disbelief and rebellion against Islam due to what the Messenger of Allah said: The covenant between you and us is prayer, and whoever abandons it is a disbeliever.

          As far the worldly verdict that should be established by the leader of Muslims against the abandoner of prayer due to laziness, jurists have three different opinions:

1- That he is out of the fold of Islam and should be killed due to apostasy.

2- That he does not leave Islam, but he should be killed according to the prescribed punishment if he does not repent and refuses to pray like the killer of an innocent victim.

3- He does not leave Islam, nor should be killed, but should be punished by beating and imprisonment until he prays.

As far the one who is lazy and is unmindful of some prayers, he has to reform his position at once and repent of this sin against Allah. He has to observe prayers constantly with seriousness and activity on their prescribed times.

Q37. What is the Islamic judgment on joining prayers due to job circumstances?

A37. It is possible for resident Muslims to join noon prayer with the afternoon prayer and to do the same with sunset and night prayer for unavoidable circumstances beyond their control.

Q38. What is the Islamic judgment concerning some Muslims who pray only Friday prayer in imitation of Jews and Christians who pray only on Saturdays and Sundays?

A38. If such people abandon daily prayers due to rejecting them as religious duties, this an apostasy against Islam. If this is due to negligence and laziness then this is one of the major sins which requires repentance and continuous observance of prayers at their prescribed times (see answer to question 36.)

Q39. Can a Muslim sit on the same table with people drinking wine as a compliment to them?

A39. It is prohibited for a Muslim to share the same table with drinkers of wine. Compliments are not accepted as excuses to commit this sin.

Q40. What is the Islamic judgement of a Muslim who is shy of Islam and tries to hide himself from others?

A40. This is a sign of weakness in faith, and anyone who suffers from this is in danger of an evil end. Such a Muslim should always remember what Allah says in the Quran: So lose not heart nor fall into despair, for you must gain mastery if you are true in faith (3-139)

Q41. Is it possible for a Muslim youth to invite a Canadian girl to Islam? What is allowed and not allowed in this respect?

A41. Wherever a Muslim lives he should be a caller to Islam through his words confirmed by his actions and behaviour. In case he invites a Canadian girl to Islam he should abide by the Islamic regulations in his relationship with her and should treat her like any other stranger woman.

Q42. What is the Islamic judgement of one who spreads hatred instead of love in the name of religion, and spread difficulty instead of ease and deprival instead of enjoying all that is permissible?

A42. Such a person is a falsifier of Divine revelation; he is committing lies against Allah; he is a preventer of people to follow Allah's path; he has no accepted excuse for doing this whether this is due to his ignorance of Islam or due to psychological disturbances that control him.

Q43. What are the conditions of the Islamic dress (Hejab) for the Muslim woman? Is it enough for her to cover everything except her face and hands, or is it essential for her to cover them also as well as her feet?

A43. The Muslim woman's dress in front of strangers should cover all her body except her face and hands which she does not have to cover unless their exposure would lead to mischief or evil.

Q44. What is the Islamic conduct concerning growing or cutting one's hair as well as one's beard? Is it true that it is not allowed to cut any part of one's beard or that the beard is only a handful long and anything more than that can be cut?

A44. A Muslim can shave all his hair or he can cut it without shaving. He can also leave it until it reaches his shoulders in imitation of the Messenger of God p.b.u.h. What is important is that he should neither shave or cut his hair like women nor should he imitate non-Muslims or deviators because all actions are controlled by intentions.

Q45. What is the allowed exposed ornament for Muslim women?

A45. Every Muslim should follow the Prophet's guidance in abiding by all characteristics of nature part of which is growing his beard. It is size, however, is a question of difference among Muslim jurists. The Hanafi jurists said for instance: it is recommended to cut what is more than a handful while Imam Malek said: it is recommended to cut the extreme length of the beard. He did not limit it to a handful. As for the Shafii school they said: he should leave it as it is without cutting any part of it. This is one version with the Hanbali school. In this difference, I believe there is plenty of room for Muslims.

Q46. What do you think of taking photographs? What is allowed or prohibited of this?

A46. What is prohibited according to the Prophet's traditions is amking statues or idols for living creatures men or animals. As for taking photographs (by using a camera) this is allowed in Islam unless one takes photographs for prohibited parts of men and women or anything that leads to evil and mischief.

Q46. What is the allowed exposed ornament for Muslim women outside their homes?

A46. A Muslim woman should avoid exposure of her body and ornament outside her home. What is forbidden is to draw men's lusts to her person through putting perfumes, having cosmetics or applying colours on her face and lips and other tricks in clothes and ornaments which invite the interest of men and invite their sexual desire in her. As for the Quranic verse that says: [They should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof] Chap. 24-v. 31. This verse refers to the face and hands according to Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him. Ref Al-Majmoo' by Nawawi vo. 3/167.

Q47. What is the Islamic judgement on showing a woman's beauty and ornaments to the husband's relatives like his brothers and the like kins?

A47. It is prohibited for a Muslim woman to show her beauty and ornaments in front of her husband's relatives for they are strangers to her. She should not expose anything which believing women cover in front of all men except the husband and the allowed categories of males. Bukhari and Muslim reported the Prophet p.b.u.h. who said: Abstain from entering upon women. Then a man is from Al-Ansar asked: O Messenger of Allah, what about the husband's relatives? He said: The husband's relatives are death. He means the husband's brothers. The meaning is that a husband's brothers solitary encounter with the wife is more dangerous than that of strangers.

Q48. What is Islam's decision of men shaking hands with alien women? Is a Muslim preacher sinful should he shake hands with a non-Muslim woman so that he might not hurt her feelings? Then he would explain to her the judgement in the course of his presentation of Islam to her?

A48. Muslim jurists gave the following details about shaking hands with alien women:

a. Shaking hands with an old alien woman who is not usually desired is not sinful provided one is sure of this.

b. It is disliked to shake hands with a young alien woman even without sexual desire.

c. Shaking hands with lust with an alien young woman is a disobedience to Allah. It is considered as a minor sin based on what Muslim and Ahmad reported Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him who said: I have seen nothing similar to minor sins than what Abu Huraira reported the prophet p.b.u.h. who said: Allah has recorded on the son of man his share of adultery which he will sure have: for the eye's adultery is through looking, the hand's adultery is though touching and the self likes and whispers, while the sexual organ either fulfils this or ignores it. This minor sin becomes a major one through insisting on doing it as is the case with the rest of all minor sins.

Q49. What is Islam's judgment of smoking? Is it included in the Quranic verse that says: He makes lawful the good things and prohibits for them evils?

A49. Smoking is one of the evils due to its sure harm upon the human body. On the other hand spending money to purchase cigarettes is one type of extravagance which is forbidden in Islam. Man will no doubt be asked on the Day of Judgment about his money where he obtained it from and where he spent it. He is accountable for this as is confirmed by traditions of the Prophet p.b.u.h.

Q50. What is the value of time in Islam? Is it allowed for a Muslim to spend his time on useless activities under the pretext of innocent recreation?

A50. Time is one of the precious gifts granted by God Almighty to man. In the life of a Muslim it is his capital which is intended for development and production. Thus it is not logical for any sane person to waste his time and lead an aimless chaotic life. May Allah bless Imam Ibn Al Qayyim who said: Man's time is actually his life. It is the raw material of either his everlasting life is perpetual bliss or his life of suffering in continuous punishment. It passes like clouds. The part of his life spent for God and in the cause of God is indeed his real life and age while anything else is not counted as part of his life even if he should live the life of animals.

Q51. How does Islam look at games like backgammon, playing cards and chess?

A51. Playing backgammon and cards is not allowed in Islam. They are part of prohibited recreation. As for chess the majority of scholars believe it to be prohibited while the Shafii jurists say it is prohibited if it causes delay in establishing prayers at the appointed times or if it is played for certain compensation. If this is not the case then it is disliked.

Q52. What are the sports encouraged by Islam and the sports and games prohibited by it?

A52. Islam encourages all sports that strengthen the body and take care of health so that they help man be better able to work and obtain his allowed provision and help him better obey God Almighty. As for sports and games that cause harm or hurt to the human body as free boxing, wrestling and the like, these are prohibited based on the Prophet's saying No harm nor cause of harm. Otherwise every sport or game that neither achieve benefit nor cause harm then it is part of the vain games that waste time and spend it uselessly.

Q53. Does Islam accept love before marriage? How far true is the following statement: Whoever loves a chaste love then dies he dies as a martyr.

A53. Love before marriage naturally has certain introductions and necessities which are not free from committing sins. As for what has been reported that the Prophet p.b.u.h. said: "Whoever loves, hides his love in patience and dies, he is a martyr" and in another version: "Allah will forgive him and grant him paradise" This is a false fabricated saying in its two versions: Imam Ibn Al Qayyim states this in his book "Rawdatul Muhibbeen" p. 180.

Q54. Some Muslims despise woman and abuse her treatment what is Islam's judgment on this and what are the limits of a husband's discipline of his wife?

A54. It is prohibited for a Muslim husband to despise his wife or abuse her. In his all-embracing farewell sermon the Prophet p.b.u.h. strongly urged Muslim husbands to do all that is good to their wives. He said: Fear Allah in dealing with women and do all that is good to them for they your dependents who cannot be self-sufficient. Hear my speech for I have conveyed the message. (Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Darmy).

On the other hand Islam has given the husband, who is dutiful to his wife, the right to discipline her when she rebels and rejects to obey him and to comply with him. He first counsels her in all love and kindness, then he can abandon their mutual bed if advice does not work; then if she insists on rebellion and hatred he can beat her to the extent that restores her obedience and forces her to fulfill her duties. Beating should not be severe; he should avoid the face and should not leave any marks on her body. The husband should not resort to beating, as the last solution, if he thinks that it will have no effect. Second, it should not be severe beating nor should it cause any bleeding. He should avoid the sensitive parts of the body for it is intended for reform and not punishment or damage.

 Not only this but even when beating the wife is allowed many prominent jurists of Shafii, Maleki and Hanbali school led by Imam M. Ibn Idris Al Shafii say that it is better for the husband to forgive his wife and abstain from beating her for the sake of keeping love and mercy in the family life. (Al-Um by Imam Shafii 5-176 and other reliable sources.)

Q55. What is Islam's position on rebellion against parents? and is it allowed to rebel against disbelieving parents?

A55. Rebellion against Muslim parents is one of the major sins which cause the anger of Allah Almighty. If the parents are polytheists or disbelievers their Muslim children should deal with them in kindness and goodness. The Holy Quran says: "But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not, yet bear them company in this life with fairness and consideration." Chap. 31-v15. Imam Ibn Taymiyah says: Man has to obey his parents in all matters without falling in sins even if they are deviators. This is as far as everything that brings about benefits to them without any harm on him. (Fatawa Ibn Taymiyah P. 114).

Q56. What is Islam's judgment of the person who abandons Friday prayer?

A56. Members of the Muslim community in Canada as else where should be keen to establish Friday prayer (because it is obligatory on all Muslim males who are not travelers). This prayer enables Muslims to meet other pious Muslims, to cooperate with them in all that is good and righteous and to fulfill all that is good and honourable for Islam and Muslims.

Q57. What is Islam's judgment of men kissing alien women and vice versa?

A57. It is prohibited in Islam for men to kiss alien women whether they are free of lust or not due to the legislation that forbids this and because of the absence of any necessity to do this.

Q58. Can a Muslim woman travel by air alone or with her minor children to a foreign country without an accompanying relative after her husband has left her back home due to an excuse or without an excuse?

A58. It is prohibited for a Muslim woman to travel alone or with her minor kids without the company of her husband or a close relative without excuse. The presence of her minor children is not considered enough as long as they are minor. This is the view of the majority of scholars of Hanafi, Shafii, Maleki and Hanbali schools.

          If however, she has an excuse and has a trusted company then we can follow what Al Qaffal, of the Shafii school and others opened namely that a woman's travel is allowed for trade, visit or to make voluntary pilgrimage-etc. with a trusted company that included trustworthy women or woman. This is an exception of the prohibiting tradition. (several reliable sources confirm this, but the general rule still prohibits this).

Q59. What is Islam's judgement of the Muslim woman who prays but does not abide by the Islamic code of dress?

A59. She is rebellious against the commands of Allah and negligent of this orders due to displaying part of her shame in from of alien men. Her duty is to hasten to repentance to abstain from this deficient behaviour and to come her shame in full through abiding by the Islamic code of dress for women.

Q60. What is the Islamic judgement of some Muslims who fast Ramadan but do not pray or pray in Ramadan and abandon prayer after it?

A60. The establishment of the five daily prayers and fasting Ramadan are both basic principles of Islam. They are both part of the five pillars on which Islam is founded. Those who observe the fast of Ramadan and abandon prayer has in fact undermined one pillar of Islam while observing the other.

          On the other hand, those who fast Ramadan while abandoning prayer, if they are not believing in what they abandoned they are no more within the fold of Islam, and so they don't benefit anything from fasting or charity; while if they still believe in what they abandoned they are deviators from the commands of God and their fasting without prayer is a clear proof that they did not fast in obedience to God and in fulfillment of their slavery to Him, otherwise they would not have abandoned their duty to establish prayer. Such fasting is observed due to habit they acquired from their environment or inherited from their fathers. It is well-known that observing a worship due to habits makes it rejected and returned to the observer because he did not observe it in obedience to God. See answer to question No. 36.

Q61. What is Islam's judgment of the person who ignores the veil for Muslim women and claims that it is only a habit rather than a worship?

A61. The fact that the veil for Muslim women is proven in the Quran, the Sunnah and the consensus beyond any doubt or interpolation. It is a clear fact for the Muslim nation since the era of the Prophet p.b.u.h. until the present time. It is so famous that it because one of the basic issues which are taken for granted in religion. Whoever ignores it becomes a disbeliever.

Q62. What is Islam's judgment of one who attacks Islam through writing an article in a newspaper, or mocks Islamic teachings and sides with disbelievers?

A62. If this is committed by any person attributed to Islam, it is considered an act of apostasy that qualifies him to be a disbeliever. The person who commits this is treated as an apostate; but should a disbeliever do this, nothing is more sinful than disbelief.

Q63. Does Islam allow a Muslim woman to travel alone abroad for seeking knowledge, or does Islam deprive women from higher education?

A63. Islam encourages both men and women to seek useful knowledge that brings about all that is good in both lives and prevents all that is evil. This includes higher as well as lower education.

          As for a woman's travel abroad for seeking knowledge without the company of a husband, a close relative who would protect her, this is not allowed in Islam based on what Al Bukhari and Muslim reported the Messenger of God p.b.u.h. who said: It is not allowed for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel the duration of one day and one night without a close relative. This is so because woman is an attraction whose single travel may cause evil for herself and for others.

Q64. Does Islam allow woman to work outside her home without a necessity or due to a necessity but in a mixed work place although she abides by the Islamic code of dress or she does not?

A64. One foundation of Islam is that it safeguards the purity of the Islamic society and environment from all illegal sexual relationships. Thus it prohibits committing such evils and closes all doors leading to them. That is why Islam commands women to abide by the Islamic code of dress and prohibits all lonely encounters with alien men or travelling with them without the company of a husband or a close relative. Islam also orders both men and women to lower their gaze. Everything that does not lead to evil or to something prohibited is allowed in Islam. Thus it exempted old women from lowering their gaze; solitary encounter with alien men and single travel abroad, all of which apply to other women. Islam allows travel for women with a close relative. It also permits lust free gazes for a right reason like medical treatment, financial dealings, testimony, engagement for marriage and the like.

          Accordingly, every Muslim woman living in these countries that force them to work under conditions that are not in harmony with Islam, should abide by the Islamic code of dress. She should choose to work under conditions that are least in conflicting with Islam. Let her also exert her best to be as close as possible to Islam and remember God's words: And observe your duty to Allah as much as you can.

Q65. Is it allowed for a Muslim merchant to have partnership with a non-Muslim merchant? If so what are the limits for this partnership?

A65. The partnership between a Muslim and a non-Muslim merchant is valid in Islam. Jurists set certain conditions for such partnership especially that the Muslim should have the upper hand and should be in charge of the partnership and the investment; this is because the non-Muslim partner is not keen to avoid prohibited dealings and invalid contracts in the sight of Islam.

          Accordingly, if the two parties- the Muslim and the non-Muslim- abide by the Islamic economic principles and were limited to good permissible ways of gain, then there is nothing awkward in their partnership.

Q66. What is Islam's judgment of the woman who enters the marriage contract all by herself without a guardian?

A66. Imam Abu Hanifa says that the guardian is not a precondition for the validity of the marriage contract established by the intelligent adult woman. She can, in other words, establish her marriage contract all by herself; or she can delegate whomsoever she wishes to of the intelligent adults to implement it for her. Such a contract is valid without a guardian.

          The majority of Muslim jurists, however, of Shafii, Maleki and Hanbali schools believe that a marriage contract can only be valid with a guardian; and that a Muslim woman cannot perform the marriage contract for herself nor for others. She cannot, according to them, delegate any one else other than her guardian to perform her marriage; if she does this the contract is not valid.

Q67. How long can a husband be absent abroad from his wife, and who has the right to separate them from one another? What are the conditions for such separation to take place?

A67. If a husband is absent from his wife after having marital intercourse with her, and he is away due to an accepted excuse like seeking knowledge, trade, work or other similar reasons and he provides her with what she needs of expenses, then she has no right to seek separation whether the period of his absence is long or short, or whether she suffers of some harm or not. This is because he is not unjust to her by his absence. While if he is away for a long period of time -say more than one year, and some said over three years- and he intentionally meant to harm her without an accepted excuse, then she can present her case to the Islamic judge asking him to separate her from her husband. She can prove his absence without any excuse and that she suffers from real harm due to which she suffers to slip into adultery. Once this is done, the judge would write to the husband asking his either to return to his wife, or to help her join him or to divorce her. The judge would give him a certain waiting period of time. Should the husband refuse all these options then the judge would separate the two. Such separation due to absence can only be fulfilled through the decision of an Islamic judge.

Q68. Does the guardian have the right to prevent the marriage of his daughter for one reason or another?

A68. The guardian of a woman has the Islamic right to stop her marriage from the one who is not her equal mate whether she asked to get married to him, or each side desired the marriage to the other side or not or she did not ask. The guardian, however, has no right to prevent the woman under his guardianship from marrying her equal mate if she asks for this.

Q69. Who is the owner of dowry in marriage (the guardian or the daughter)? Is it possible for the guardian to spend the dowry or part of it without his daughter's permission?

A69. The owner of the dowry in marriage is the woman alone and not her guardian who has no authority to spend the dowry of his adult daughter or part of it whether she is virgin or was married before.

Q70. Is it allowed that a man should eat, drink and urinate while standing?

A70. A man, and a woman for that matter can eat and drink while standing due to what Imam Al Bukhari and Imam Muslim reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him who said that the Prophet p.b.u.h. drank from the well of Zamzam from a bucket drawn from it, and he was standing. It is, however, recommended that a Muslim should eat and drink while he is sitting based on what Muslim reported that Anas m.A.b.p.w.h. who said that the Prophet p.b.u.h. forbade that any Muslim would drink while standing. Jurists understand that prohibition to be disliked or that one is abstaining from something better. This the jurists did to coordinate between traditions of the Prophet in this connection.

          A Muslim can also urinate while standing based on what Bukhari and Muslim reported from Huzaifah m.A.b.p.w.h. who said that the Prophet approached the garbage place of some people and urinated while he was standing. Jurists coordinated between this tradition and the other reported by Tirmizi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah from Aisha m.A.b.p.w. who said that the Prophet p.b.u.h. never urinated except while he was sitting. Jurists concluded that urinating in a position of sitting is part of good manners not more.

Q71. What are the limits and times of exposing shame between parents and children?

A71. The father's limits of shame which he should cover in the presence of his sons and daughters are from the navel to the knees. The permission verse in chapter 19-58- speaks about children who are not adults but they understand the meanings of covering and exposing shame. They are commanded to seek permission for entrance upon their parents on the three times during which they are usually exposed or naked. These times are: Before dawn prayers, for it is the moment of the end of sleep and replacing the night garment with the day garment; then the noon break which is another occasion of possible exposure and thirdly after the night prayer which is again the occasion of exposure and possible nakedness for sleep. Otherwise, on all other times with the exception of these three occasions children and other members of the same family can enter upon each other without permission, because shame is usually covered on them.

Q72. What is the right of a Muslim towards his Muslim brothers or sisters?

A72. A Muslim should offer the greeting of peace to his brother Muslims, to meet them with a smiling face, to advise them, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, to visit the sick among them, to pay condolences for death, to help them in times of need, to divert harm from them, to do them all that is good and to be to them like a solid structure self-strengthening and to be with them in terms of love and mercy like one body should any part of it complain of pain all other parts would reciprocate with vigil and fever.

Q73. Is it allowed in Islam to abuse a non-Muslim neighbor?

A73. Neighborliness is sacred in the sight of Islam. Accordingly a Muslim should in no way harm his neighbors. On the contrary, he has to deal with them nicely which is the neighbors right even if they are disbelievers. If the neighbor is a Muslim, another right is claimed by him from other Muslim neighbors; if again the neighbor is a relative he has three rights: that of neighborliness, of Islam and relation. To treat one's neighbors in general in a nice manner is strongly recommended in Islam by the Quran and the Sunnah. This covers Muslim and other. It also covers related neighbors and others.

Q74. Does Islam allow keeping fish in basins for ornament and holding coloured birds in cages to enjoy listening to their voices and contemplating their shapes and figures?

A74. Yes, it is allowed in Islam to do all this without any awkwardness.

Q75. What is Islam's judgment of adoption? Is there an Islamic alternative for it?

A75. Adoption has two forms in human life:

1- That a man would sponsor the child whom he knows to be someone else's son, and would treat him like his own children as far as kindness, and spending, as well as upbringing and care are concerned. The sponsor, however, does impose his name upon the child and thus he does not become his legitimate child nor does he establish any kind of sonship to him.

          This type of adoption is a charitable act followed by some wealthy philanthropists who have no children and they treat it as an act of nearness to God by upbringing a poor child or an orphan deprived of parental kindness and ability to care for and educate. Such an act is encouraged by Islam, invited and rewarded.

2- What is generally understood from the word "Adoption" which refers to attributing an alien child to one's self who is. Known not to be his own child and to call him after one's name as the legitimate child and thus establish legal rights of sonship to the adopted one. This behavior was common before Islam, and comprised one factor of inheritance for pre-Islamic era. The Quran was revealed to reject this type of adoption, prohibit it and cancel its effects for the sake of protecting true genealogy and to preserve family rights based on true sonship and blood relationship which are reckoned with.

Q76. What is Islam's judgement of Ahmadiya (Qadiani), and the Ismaeli sects? What about Muslim youth marriage to women from any of the two sects?

A76. Doubtless that both Ahmadiyah (Qadianiyah) and Ismaeli sects are not part of the religion of Islam. Thus they are not considered Muslims even though they call themselves Muslims to falsify things and lead others astray. Accordingly Muslims should not eat what they slaughter, the marriage contracts with their women and between their males and Muslim females is not valid. If any Muslim has relatives of either sect there is no inheritance between the two and Muslims due to difference of religion.

Q77. Can Muslims join Sufi orders?

A77. Those who call themselves Sufis are various types, most of those, however, these days are innovators, superstitious people who follow a path alien to real Islam. It is not fair, however, to issue a general verdict against all Sufi and accuse them all of perversion, or to say that they are all good. What one's heart feels ease to express is to say that those Sufis who follow the Quran and the Sunnah are good, while those who pervert from the path shown by Allah and his Messenger, the path of truth; those who introduce into Islam what is not part of it, these are innovators who have perverted from Islam.

Q78. Is it allowed in Islam to present the Quran with English translation to non-Muslims as a method of introducing Islam to them? Are non-Muslims allowed to enter the mosque? What manners should they observe in the mosque esp. if they are women?

A78. Yet it is allowed in Islam to give the Quran with any translation (English, French, or other) to non-Muslims in order to call them to Islam and introduce it to them. It is possible to allow non-Muslims to enter mosques and stay in them because Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. allowed disbelievers to enter his mosque. On entering mosques non-Muslims should abide by the same manners incumbent on Muslims like for instance they should not carry with them repugnant smell like that of garlic, onion or bad smelling clothes. They should not cause any harm or impurity or dirt. They should avoid making noise or distraction for worshippers praying or reciting the Quran etc. Non-Muslims should not enter the mosque to make fun or mockery of Muslims. Women should be decently dressed, not exposing their shame in mosques.

Q79. Is it allowed for a Muslim woman to enter the mosque and stay in it while she has her monthly period in order to listen to lectures, attend gatherings and the like?

A79. There is no difference among scholars that it is possible for the menstruating Muslim woman to cross the mosque for an excuse or a necessity. As for her stay in the mosque for other purpose the majority of scholars say it is prohibited based on what Imam Bukhari reported the Prophet p.b.u.h. to have said: Menstruating women should avoid the mosque. Some scholars from the Shafii school permit such women to enter the mosque and stay in it provided that they don't pollute it with their blood.

Q80. What is Islam's judgement of a person who ignores the Prophet's Sunnah and does not except other than the Quran?

A80. He is a Muslim who ignores the Prophet's Sunnah even if he accepts the Quran. Should a Muslim reject the Sunnah he becomes an apostate upon whom the rules of apostates apply.

Q81. What is the correct direction for Qiblah in Canada although most of the mosques are directed to the north east? Those who differ from this direction what is Islam's judgement of them?

A81. The right direction to Qiblah in Canada is to the north east -if Muslims want to direct their faces to the Sacred Kaaba in Makkah Al Mukarramah. Those who deviate from this direction only follow their perverted whims and not the Qiblah commanded by Allah Almighty.

Q82. Is it allowed to talk in the mosque during non-prayer times? Is it prohibited to discuss worldly affairs in mosques?

A82. The mosque in Islam is a place of worship in the general sense of the word which actually encompass prayer, reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, Islamic education and training, asking and answering religious questions, inviting to the call of Allah and other innumeral good activities that cultivate piety and obedience to God Almighty.

          It is not allowed to use mosques as places of entertainment and recreation or for establishing the Islamic limits or for worldly talks void of good and obedience to God. Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. forbade selling and buying, trading, seeking lost things and the like in mosques. For these have their places in markets, entertainment and recreation centres. Allah says in the Quran chap. 24-v.36 "In houses which Allah has per o be raised to honour, for the celebration in them of His name. In them is the glorified in the mornings and in the evenings (again and again) by men whom neither trade nor sale can divert from the remembrance of Allah, nor from regular prayer...etc."

Q83. Is it allowed to use swine rennet tablets in making cheese? Some people justify this saying that a chemical change takes place in the produced cheese similar to the change taking place in pickle after it was an intoxicant and this makes pickle allowed.

A83. No Muslim scholars allowed the use of swine rennet tablets in making cheese, and there is no difference among Muslims jurists that all the swine meat, fat, rennet and milk are impure and prohibited. Thus it is not allowed to eat any by-product of swine individually or added to something else.

          As for the rennet extracted from a dead but originally edible animal, jurists differed concerning using it to make cheese, and whether the produced cheese is allowed to eat. Jurists are divided into two categories: Shafiis, Malekis and Nabalis said that such cheese produced from the swine rennet is prohibited and that it is also prohibited to use such tablets to make cheese while Abu Hanifa and Ahmad in one version said that it is allowed to make and each such cheese. They did this in analogy of the dead edible animal's milk which is allowed.

Q85. What is Islam's judgement of a person who avoids through tricks to pay taxes to the Canadian government as some people who have business do it and some individuals who do this at the end of each year?

A85. Muslims residing in Canada are bound according to their permanent residence or their citizenship by a social contract with the Canadian government which grants them the same duties. Thus Muslims in Canada have full right to benefit from medical and social welfare as well as baby bonus and government pension plan and unemployment benefits in addition to other financial rights and services generously spent upon by the Canadian government. In return of these rights Muslims should pay the taxes they owe to the government without resorting to fraud or tricks that are against Islamic morals and Muslim honesty.

Q86. What is Islam's judgment of the male person who puts a ring in his ears or nose?

A86. Wearing ear rings in ears is for women not men. Allah Almighty has cursed men who imitate women and vice versa. As for wearing rings in the nose I wonder whether this is for women only or is it the habit of some disbelievers and other perverted persons. If such rings are for women only it has the judgment of ear rings; and if they are wore by disbelievers and perverts they are also prohibited for Muslim men; but if neither they are not prohibited.

Q87. What is Islam's judgment of a person who cuts part of his hair (say the middle or sides) and leaves some other part?

A87. Imam Nawawi said: There is consensus among scholars that such act called Qaz' is absolutely disliked in Islam for both men and women. Some scholars mentioned that the wisdom behind prohibiting this is that it distorts God's creation or that it is the style of polytheists.

Q88. What is Islam's judgement of a Muslim who sells meat killed by Christians to Christians if such meat is prohibited for Muslims?

A88. Originally meat slaughtered by Jews and Christians- called in the Quran as people of the book- is permissible for Muslims to eat and sell or buy. However, if the meat is of a dead animal no Muslim should approach it neither by eating or trading in. Because the dead carcase is not an acceptable capital in Islam. Thus it is not allowed to exchange it for money, as among the conditions of valid contracts in Islam is that the sold material should be acceptable.

Q89. Is it possible for a Muslim to receive financial assistance from the Canadian Ministry of social services and then find another job in the name of another person under the pretext that what he receives from the government is not enough for him and his family?

A89. These crooked methods that include fraud, tricks and falsification are not acceptable in Islam. On the contrary, Muslims should be examples of straightforwardness, honesty a and exerting their best efforts in their work places.

Q90. Is it allowed for a Muslim in Canada to give his SIN card to other Muslims to use his name in finding jobs?

A90. This lending is an act of falsification, treachery and cheating, all of which are morals alien to Islam and Muslim honesty.

Q91. Some Muslims go to medical doctors or buy medicine using other Muslim's names. What is Islam's judgment of a Muslim who allows others to use his name in this way?

A91. These methods of cheating, falsification and lying should be avoided by Muslims neither should they help others to commit them.

Q92. The choice of the pious companion is it something required by Islamic law? What are the characteristics of such companion?

A92. Indeed Islam commands the choice of pious companions. It shows that a Muslim will be asked on the Day of Judgment even about a one hour company, whether he established through the right of Allah or lost it. As for the good companion some scholars said he is the one with whose company you grow and whose speech guide you to God. This means the companion who when you see him or his manners he remembers Allah, from whose company you benefit through hearing a good piece of advice or get something good or you obtain something that leads to obedience of God or protects you from sin.

Q93. Suppose I want to buy a car and the seller said: As for this car, its price cash is 500 dollars, while after two years (installments) its price is 1000 dollars. If I decide to buy it for 1000 dollars in installments what is Islam's judgment of this transaction?

A93 It is allowed to buy goods according to a price that increases due to instalments upon the cash price. The majority of jurists allow this; and the increase in the price due to instalments is considered to be part of the price.

Q94. Is it possible to put one's children with a non-Muslim day care specialist as both parents go to work and what is Islam's view of the wife's work under these conditions?

A94. Basically, Allah laid a great responsibility on the shoulders of parents to take care of their children as far as their worldly and religious affairs are concerned. Allah says in the Quran (O you who believe. Protect yourselves and your kindred from Hell fire whose fuel is mankind and racks.) Chap. ***v.***

          On the other hand, Imam Muslim reported in his collection of traditions that Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. said: Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his dependents. Thus a man is a shepherd of his household and he is responsible for them, and a woman is a shepherd of the household of her husband and children and she is responsible for them.

          Imam Ghazali said: A child is a trust with his parents; his pure heart is a precious jewel, simple and void of all inscriptions and images, susceptible to every inscription and to be affected by each influence. If he is accustomed and taught all that is good, he will grow accordingly, and will be happy in this world and the next. His parents will have a share in his good deeds, and also his teachers and tutors. If the child is accustomed to evil or is neglected like animals, he will suffer and perish and his parents or guardians will be the sin for it. That is why scholars mentioned that Allah will ask parents about their children on the Day of Judgment before he will ask children concerning their parents. Let us contemplate this!

Q95. How does Islam judge a husband who falsely separates himself from his wife according to the Canadian civil law in order to get some petty money? Is this separation considered a valid divorce in Islam?

A95. No one would do this except bankrupt people as far as manners and honesty are concerned. The ethics of Islam and the characteristics of faith reject such ugly perverted deeds to obtain money. The Islamic rule states that: It is prohibited to take any one's money without a valid reason. This cheating and trick is not a valid Islamic reason for allowed gain.

          As for his separation, if the husband's expression includes divorce, separation or release, then what has been expressed is a valid divorce with all the legal results whether it was done with or without the intention of divorce. Abu Dawood, Tirmithi, Darqutri and Hakem reported the Prophet p.b.u.h. to have said: Three things are serious whether they are done unseriously or seriously. They are: divorce, marriage and returning the divorced wife.

Q96. What is Islam's judgment of a person who rejects something taken for granted in Islam although there is consensus of opinion on it. This he does out of ignorance, and what are the limits of ignorance?

A96. The claims of basic consensus are innumerable in books of jurisprudence, the majority of them are, however, issues of difference with the exception of what is taken for granted and is an essential part of religion. He disbelieves and removes himself from the fold of Islam who rejects something essential in religion and enjoys real consensus among Muslim scholars, while this is not the case when the issue he rejects is a matter of difference even if some scholars claimed consensus on that issue. Q97.If ignorance is not an accepted excuse should we consider most people in this country and in Muslim countries where ignorance is widespread, should we consider them disbelievers?

A97. The fall of Muslims in this or other countries in prohibited things and their non-observance of Islamic conditions in their virtuals, manners and behaviour due to their ignorance is not an accepted excuse for them with Allah; this is because they are negligent of learning their religious teachings as far as their rituals, transactions and other manners. They are preoccupied with seeking this worldly life, its ornaments and pleasures and lusts and are in oblivion of their religious duties at the head of which is their duty to seek religious education. Their talk is much while their good deeds are scarce, their time is cheap which they spend aimlessly and in vain. If they do good they scarcely do it in sincerity to Allah. Thus such good is often fruitless. Talk is endless about Muslim communities here and the Muslim nation everywhere. I don't want to indulge in declaring the disbelief of people due to their ignorance, I would rather encourage them to reform their affairs and to emerge from this painful situation they are preoccupied with away from Allah.

Q98. What is the right definition of the house of Islam and the house of disbelief?

A98. The House of Islam is the country that applies the teachings of Islam which are prevalent in it while the house of disbelief refers to every country where the rules of disbelief rather than the teachings of Islam are predominant.

Q99. The law of Islamic inheritance is almost missing in Canada. What is the solution to emerge from this and to apply Allah's law as much as possible?

A99. The science of obligations (as the law of Inheritance in Islam is called), is not yet missing from the earth. It is not difficult to learn it and know its teachings esp. for those who are serious in their religion and sincere in following it. There is no excuse for Muslims in Canada for not applying this Islamic law of inheritance; for, in point of fact, they don't want to bear the responsibility of learning it or asking about it as far as what concerns each one of them. This they do out of laziness and because they are not serious and thus they forsake Allah's law.

          Each one who has property or wealth can easily ask the learned ones- either orally if possible or through correspondence- or other modern means of communication about those who would inherit him of the members of his family and about the share of each in his legacy. Then he can keep a written will documented by a notary public or a law in Canada stating his death according to the Islamic law of inheritance. Thus when he dies his legacy would be distributed accordingly without any problem.

Q100. Is it allowed to give inheritance to the person who does not pray nor fast?

A100. The person who abandons prayer or fasting or charity or any of the essentials of Islam due to his rejection or ignoring them is an apostate who is outside the pale of Islam. He neither inherits from his relatives or is he inherited by them because of difference of religion.