Marifah Answers

Q: I have a non Muslim friend who always buys me gifts on both Eids, as we are approaching Christmas is it ok to give presents back, as a goodwill gesture? A: Yes, you can. Not with the intention to venerate Christmas but you should avoid giving it on Christmas day….

Q: If a husband leaves the family home , and in his absence sends the first Islamic divorce paper in the post signed and witnessed , and then the wife has sat the three months iddah / and the wife has never heard from the sharia council or the courts why the marriage…

Q: When making ghusl after intercourse, does a woman need to wash all of her hair, or is it sufficient to just get the scalp /roots wet? Can she braid her long hair and just wash the scalp? A: If the hair is braided, then it is sufficient to wash the roots and scalp…

Q: Is it permissible to be friends with a male ( a classmate ) where we talk abt studies as well & like friends as well but without any wrong intention?  A: What is meant by “friends as well”? We need to be careful here, if there is any fear of falling into…

Q: Islamically, is abortion of a foetus with a known disabling condition allowed? A: If it is before the entering of the soul, considered to be when part of the physical features of the child are visibly formed with Abu Hanifah, then it is permitted with the agreement…

Q: Asalam Alaykum sheikh. If a child’s biological parents are in prison after committing a serious crime and that child was adopted at the age of 12, is that child, Islamically, obligated to maintain a relationship with those parents? If a child’s adopted parents…

Q: Is it permissible to have a secular marriage instead of a nikah? If a nikah is still required where can I find evidence that states this? A: Usually, the pillars and conditions of the religious nikah will be met via the secular ceremony. Even though it is “secular”…

Q: Is abortion (for reasons other than necessity) permitted prior to ensoulment 120 days into pregnancy? A: Prior to ensoulment, it is permitted with the agreement of the husband and wife. Some considered it to be disliked. Many contemporary scholars have said that it…

Q: Is a store-bought fish pie containing white wine halal? Just confused with the cooking of alcohol and its change in texture, colour scent and also the ability to use non-grape wine usage. A: No, it will not be permitted due to the presence of wine which will render…

Q: Some people use the term ‘it was written in the stars’, meaning ‘it was fate, ordained by God’ Is it permissible to use this term? A: It should be okay if used with that intended meaning as it is an allusive statement. However, I would avoid using it as it gives…