Questions and Answers

A. In a nut shell, the four Math-habs are the products of the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Sahaabah who had spread out in the different parts of the world after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) taught Islam the way they had seen Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) practising and teaching it. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), for example, performed Salaat in different ways. Those Sahaabah who saw one way, went away and taught it the way they saw it.

Then there are certain Ahaadith which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did not fully explain. But he instructed the Sahaabah to deliver everything they heard from him because there will be such people who will understand the Hadith better than its carrier. The carrier refers to the Sahaabi narrating the Hadith, and the others who would interpret it refer to the Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen during the age of the Taabieen.

This is a brief background to the Math-habs. Whilst in the initial era of Islam there were more than a dozen Math-habs, today only the Four Math-habs comprising the Ahlus Sunnah remain.

A.  If cold water aggravates her arthritis condition, then she should make wudhu with warm water. Only if, even warm water aggravates her sickness, will it be permissible to make Tayammum.

A.   The cross is a symbol of kufr and shirk. It is the religious symbol of the Christians. It is haraam for Muslims to display the cross or to wear garments on which the cross is portrayed. All forms of association with the cross are haraam. The act of being pleased with kufr is also kufr.

A.   It is not necessary to be with Wudhu for  having with you a phone or any mechanical device in which the Qur’aan Majeed is stored. You may keep the phone in your pocket.

A. If it is only ink, it does not form an impervious layer to prevent water. It should be washed thoroughly. The mark will not affect wudhu. Only if it forms an impervious layer as cutex does, will wudhu not be valid. We are not aware of the texture of the substance. If it is established that the substance remains on the nail  as a non-porous  layer, then it will not be permissible to vote because wudhu and ghusl will not be valid.

Q. Is it permissible to burn hairs and nails removed from the body? May these be flushed down the drain?

A. Hair from the head and nails should neither be burnt nor flushed down the drain, nor should they be thrown away. The Shariah orders that hairs and nails be buried. Flushing down the drain like waste matter, can lead to sickness. People who practise sihr, may use the hairs for evil purposes if they find it. Islam orders burial for one’s own safety and also to honour these items which are part of the human body.

Q. In a fight with my hus-band, I demanded that he gives me Talaaq. In response he said that I should return the Mehr. I immediately gave back the Mehr which he ac-cepted. What is the state of our nikah?
A. Khula‟ has taken effect. One Talaaq Baa-in has come into effect. The Nikah has ended. You are in your Iddat. After expiry of the Iddat, you will be free to marry anyone of your choice.

Q. Is a woman who is ob-serving Iddat due to Khula‟ entitled to maintenance?
A. Yes, maintenance for her is Waajib during the Iddat period.

Q. Who is a faasiq?
A. A faasiq is one who sins flagarantly in public. He does not conceal his sins. Thus a person who shaves his beard is a faasiq.

Q. If a woman‟s ankles are exposed during Salaat, will her Salaat be valid?
A. If a woman‟s ankles or part thereof are exposed, her Sa-laat will not be valid.