Questions on Religious Matters

Question

Salamun alaikum. 1- In some countries, some pills and drugs contain pork gelatin, but the final shape of the pills is like pills in gypsum color. How should I go about them if I do not know whether or not they have gone through any chemical transformatio

Answer

Given the supposition made in your message, if you are certain that the pills contain pork or animal gelatin, it is not permissible to take them except when it is necessary. As for your second question, the said ingredients are treated as pure.

Question

Someone did not believe in any religion before he converted to Islam at the age of 28. Is it obligatory for him to make up all his past prayers?

Answer

If he was non-Muslim and converted to Islam at the aforementioned age, it is not obligatory for him to offer the qadha of his prayers.

Question

Is the income of someone who picks up passengers from the streets and bus stations lawful?

Answer

If it is not deemed violation of the law of the country, there is no objection to him.

Question

I am twenty four years old and planning to marry in the near future but I am in dire need of financial help and I have no job nor any source of income. Can I sell my kidney to meet the expenses of my marriage as well as to support my family?

Answer

There is no objection in receiving money for some organs like kidney.

Question

If a guest stays for a few days in the host's house and goes out on the night preceding the day of Eid al-Fitr and comes back after Maghrib prayer, is it obligatory upon the host to pay his Zakat al-fitr?

Answer

If he is considered in common view to be depended upon the host, it necessary for the host to pay his Zakat al-Fitr.

Question

If a stranger's sperm is inserted in a woman's womb, is the child who is born to the woman mahram (unmarriageable) to the owner of the sperm? If the child is said to be that of the owner of the sperm, does he/she inherit from him? If the child is male, do

Answer

It is not permissible to inseminate a woman with the sperm of a man other than her husband. However, if a stranger’s sperm is inserted in her womb, the child born to her is mahram to the owner of the sperm, although they do not inherit from each other. Th

Question

Salamun alaykum and may Allah accept your good deeds. I am a government employee who has received a retirement lump-sum of thirty million Iranian Tumans. Is Khums payable on the amount? If it is, how much am I supposed to pay?

Answer

Khums is not payable on the amount which is given to you as a gift. However, if it is the amount deducted from your salary over the previous years and then it is given to you, Khums should be paid from it.

Question

Salamun alaykum. What is the Islamic law if a fasting person drinks water to quench his thirst? Thank you.

Answer

If a person observing fast becomes so thirsty that he fears that he may die of thirst, he can drink as much water as would ensure that the fear is averted. However, if it is the month of Ramadhan, he should, for the rest of the day, refrain from all acts

Question

Is it permissible to observe E'tikaf in local mosques? Please, let us know your definition of Jami' Masjid (central mosque)?

Answer

E'tikaf (cleaving to a mosque) means to stay or remain at a place or to cleave to something. However, E'tikaf in Islamic law is a pious practice consisting of a period of retreat at a sacred place for the purpose of seeking proximity and nearness to God,

Question

What does it mean to be 'dependent' when it comes to paying Zakat al-fitr? Is a person who goes to someone's house on the night of Eid al-fitr considered to be dependent upon the host? Does the host need to pay his Zakat al-fitr?

Answer

If the guest arrives in the host's home before sunset and he is considered to be dependent upon him for the dinner on that night, it is obligatory upon the host to give his Zakat al-fitr.