21- Count some of the excuses which permit one not to fast in Ramadan?
It is permissible for a sick person, pregnant woman or breast-feeding woman who cannot tolerate the hardship of fasting to break the fast. Each one of those has to make up the missed day (Qada').
In addition, it is permissible for a pregnant and breast-feeding woman to break the fast if they are afraid for the fetus.
However, they have to make up the missed day and pay a penance .
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1- Al-Dhaheri : study course for new Muslim , part 1, pg 49
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22- What is the Definition of Zakah?
In Islamic Law (Shariah), words are clearly defined.
Zakah is no exception.
Shariah defines zakah to be specific portion of one’s wealth that one must give yearly to a specific group of recipients that are mentioned in the Quran.
23- What forms of wealth are liable for Zakah?
The following are liable for Zakah:
Gold & Silver
Paper currency held in cash or in the bank
Tradable assets owned by your business
Crops and livestock.
24- Who can I pay my Zakah to?
Zakah is to be given to eight categories of people designated in the Suraht A- Taubah 9:60:( (1) The destitute, (2) The poor, (3) those collecting and distributing Zakah, (4) those whose hearts need softening, (5) in manumission, (6) in paying off debts, (7) in God’s path, (8) and helping the travelling who are stranded.) (1)
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1- Al-Sadlaan :Fiqh Made Easy , pg (75-79 )
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25- What is Hajj?
Lexically, Hajj means to pilgrimage to Makkah to visit. As a conventionally, it means to stand on Arafat and to circumambulate the Kaaba, dressed in ihram (uniform), on certain days of the year (in the month of Thou- Al-Hijjah) compelling to certain rules.
A person who visits those holy places at certain times is called a (pilgrim).
26- Who can perform Hajj?
An adult Muslim a sane mind, an able body and having means to bear the expenses must perform Hajj once in his/her lifetime.
Hajj is not obligatory for children, the sick, and those who cannot bear the expenses.
27- What is The Meaning of Sunnah?
Sunnah, in general, refers to the teachings and the way of life of Prophet Muhammad.
More specifically, it means what has been authentically related to us from Prophet Muhammad, other than the Quran: his statements, actions, and tacit approvals or permission (of his companions’ statements or actions).
28- What is The Meaning of Hadith ?
Hadith is any report of Prophet Muhammad’s statements, actions, tacit approvals, manners, or physical characteristics.
A hadith consists of two parts:
(a) the chain of narrators.
(b) the text
To be considered a true report of the Prophet’s speech or actions, both the text and chain of narrators must meet strict conditions.
29- What are Types of Hadiths?
This is very important because we should always know what the source of our information is, whether the hadith is reliable, or not reliable, is it sahih (authentic), hasan (good) or da’if (weak) and how this relates to whether a hadith is acceptable.
When it comes to using weak hadiths there is a very important and profound difference in opinions.
Essentially there are three main schools of thought about weak hadiths:
1- One school of thought says one can use weak hadiths whenever you want.
This is not a very strong opinion.
2- Another school of thought says one can never use weak hadiths
3- The last opinion is that one can use weak hadiths in areas about virtuous deeds and as a reminder.
This is the majority opinion.
30- Do Muslim women have to wear hijab (head cover and modest dress)?
Women who choose to wear hijab do so based on a widely accepted interpretation of the Qur’an established in the formative period of Islam that references two verses in the Qur’an (24:31 and 33:59), as well as hadith (prophetic sayings) which made it obligatory for women to cover their heads and much of their body for the sake of dignity and modesty. (Hair is considered part of a woman's physical attractiveness, which is why it is also covered.)
31- Is Islamic dress appropriate for modern times?
Islamic dress is modern and practical.
Muslim women wearing Islamic dress work and study without any problems or constraints. (1)
32- How do Muslims get married?
Traditionally, the actual Islamic marriage ceremony involves the bride and groom, marriage registrar , the guardian and two witnesses.
The ceremony includes the marriage proposal and acceptance, and the presenting of a dowry called mahr by the groom to the bride.
In some societies, the bride and groom are represented by the heads of their families during this ceremony, and the mahr is not actually presented, but is agreed upon.
The wedding celebration after the ceremony varies widely from culture to culture, but always involves food, special clothing, and some form of celebration.
In some societies, there may also be several days of celebration leading up to the wedding.
33- Is it true that Muslim men can marry more than one woman?
The norm in Islam is monogamy as emphasized in numerous Qur’anic verses that discuss the creation of all things in pairs, beginning with Adam and Eve.
Polygamy was not initiated by Islam but existed in many pre-Islamic cultures, including those referenced in the Bible, which mentions, for example, Abraham, David, Jacob, and others having more than one wife.
In Arabia before Islam men married women without any limitations on the number.
Islam restricted this practice according to very strict, defined conditions.
While Islamic teachings allow for more than one wife, the condition for such a marriage is that a man be fair and equal in his treatment of each wife.
However, the Qur’an states, (You will never be able to treat women the same, no matter how hard to try…) (Qur’an, 4:129).
The verse in the Qur’an allowing this practice was revealed in the context of war and caring for orphans.
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1-www: ing.org
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34- Can women marry more than one man?
Women marrying more than one man would not fulfill the original purpose of polygamy, which was for men with sufficient resources (economic and spiritual) to provide and care for widowed women and their children.
Additionally, in a pre-modern world it would have been challenging to determine paternity of any children from such a marriage.
35- What is the Islamic view of divorce?
The Islamic view of divorce which stems from a prophetic saying is that it is “the most hated lawful thing,” because of the damage it inflicts on the entire family.
This is seen to be the case whether a male or female is initiating the divorce.
All attempts, therefore, should be made to avoid divorce, including mediation and counseling.
However, if all else fails, divorce as a last option is allowed .
36- Can women initiate a divorce?
Yes, a woman can initiate divorce.
There are different types of divorce depending on the situation.
The easiest way for a woman to obtain a divorce, if there are no obvious grounds, is to return the dowry her husband gave her at the time of marriage (in Arabic this is known as AL- khula).
37- What are the dietary prohibitions in Islam?
Muslims are told in the Quran not to eat pork or pork products, meat of the animals who died before being slaughtered or the carnivorous animals (as they eat dead animals), nor drink blood or intoxicants such as wine or use any illicit drugs.
38- What is halal?
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted.
The opposite of halal is haram which means unlawful or prohibited. While the term is used in relation to many aspects of life, when specifically used in relationship to food, halal refers to any food product that is not prohibited.
In reference to meat products, halal means that the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, which include reciting God's name over the animal before slaughter, and draining all the blood from the animal.
This practice is similar to the guidelines set by Jewish law that classify meat prepared in this manner as Kosher.
39- What is Riba (usury)?
The word Riba has been extracted from Raba.
It means addition, increase.
So, riba literally means to increase, to grow to rise, to add, to swell.
It is, however, not every increase or growth which has been prohibited by Islam.
In the Shari’ah, “riba” technically refers to the premium that must be paid by the borrower to the lender along with the principal amount as a condition for the loan or for an extension in its maturity.
In this sense riba has the same meaning as interest in accordance with the consensus of all jurists without any exception.
So the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith do not make any such difference between usury and interest.
Interest and usury both are taken as synonymous for the Arabic word riba.
40- Can Muslim sell pork, Alcohol?
Trading in goods which are normally used for committing sin is haram. Examples of such things are swine, intoxicants, and other prohibited foods in general, as well as idols, crosses, statues, and the like permitting the sale or trade of such articles implies promoting and propagating them among people, and consequently encouraging them to do what is haram, while prohibiting their sale implies suppressing and ignoring them, thereby preventing people from coming into contact with them.
The Prophet (peace be on him) said: "Surely, Allah and His Messenger have prohibited the sale of wine, the flesh of dead animals, swine and idols." (Reported by Al-Bukhari) (1)
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Al-Qaradawi: The Lawful and The Prohibited In Islam, pg (253)
References
40 Top Questions about Islam ,by: Ali Al-Dhaheri ,Islamic Affairs in Dubai.
Fiqh Made Easy, by: Saalih Al-Sadlaan, Al-Basheer company.
Study course for new Muslim ,by: Ali Al-Dhaheri ,Islamic Affairs in Dubai.
The personality of Allah s last messenger, by; abdul Waheed Kahan ,IIPH.
The Lawful and the prohibited in Islam, by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi,I I S O.
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Index
Introduction
1-What is Islam?
2- Who is Allah?
3- Who was Muhammad? (Peace be upon him)
4- How did Muhammad (peace be upon him) become a prophet and a messenger of God?
5- What is the Quran?
6- What is the Quran about?
7- What is the purpose of worship in Islam?
8- What are the pillars of Islam?
9- What are the pillars of Iman (Faith)?
10- Who are the angels?
11- What is meant by Belief in the Last Day?
12- What is meant by Belief Preordainment (Al-Qadar)?
13- Do you have to change your name on accepting Islam?
14- Is it necessary to have a Shahadah certificate as proof of being a Muslim?
15- What is the opinion on circumcision - is it recommended or compulsory?
16- What is Ablution (Wudoo’)?
17- When Should I Perform Ablution (Wudoo’)?
18- What is Prayer (Salah)?
19- When performing Salah, can one pray in English if he or she has difficulty learning Arabic?
20- Who is obligated to fast the month of Ramadan?
21- Count some of the excuses which permit one not to fast in Ramadan?
22- What is the Definition of Zakah ?
23- What forms of wealth are liable for Zakah?
24- Who can I pay my Zakah to?
25- What is Hajj?
26- Who can perform Hajj?
27- What is The Meaning of Sunnah?
28- What is The Meaning of Hadith ?
29- What are Types of Hadiths?
30- Do Muslim women have to wear hijab (head cover and modest dress)?
31- Is Islamic dress appropriate for modern times?
32- How do Muslims get married?
33- Is it true that Muslim men can marry more than one woman?
34- Can women marry more than one man?
35- What is the Islamic view of divorce?
36- Can women initiate a divorce?
37- What are the dietary prohibitions in Islam?
38- What is halal?
39- What is Riba (usury)?
40- Can Muslim sell pork, Alcohol?
References
Index
