Read Islamic Books

Q. There are a number of books which contain the full translation of the Holy Qur’an without giving the Qur’anic text in Arabic. Please explain whether reading of such translations has the same reward as the recitation of the Arabic text of the Holy Qur’an is supposed to have. Moreover, can one touch such translation in a state of impurity and if somebody reads the translation of the verse of ‘Sajdah’ is it incumbent upon him to perform the sajdah of tilawat? (Anonymous)  Read more... (340 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Q. “Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city limits of Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah. The entry of non-Muslims in the Haram limits of Makkah was banned in 9th Hijrah by a Quranic order contained in the Surah al-Bar’ah, verse 27.

Did this order apply to the Haram of Makkah only or also to the Haram of Madinah? The Qur’an does not say so.

Imam Malik and Umar bin Abdul-Aziz etc. Interpreted the verse to apply to all the masjids.  Read more... (731 words, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

Q. “In respect of distribution of inheritance, please respond to the following situations :

1. A widow passes away leaving behind the following relatives :

(i). A married sister and a married brother with children

(ii). A married daughter with children

(iii). A widowed daughter-in-law

(iv). Orphaned grand children.

2. A widow passes away leaving behind the following relatives :

(i) A married daughter with children

(ii) Children of two deceased sisters How will the assets (minus the liabilities) of the deceased be distributed in each of the above situations?  Read more... (1018 words, estimated 4:04 mins reading time)

1. That person is nearest to Allah Ta’âla who utters the salâm first. (i.e. one who does not wait for the opposite party to make salâm first.
2. Greet every Muslim, whether acquainted or not. (Bukhari)
3. Salâm should always be made before talking. (Tirmidhi)
4. When replying to a salâm that has been conveyed through a third person, answer by saying: Wa Alaika Wa Alayhis Salâm. (Nasa’i)
5. After making salâm, if a barrier such as a   tree or wall appears between them (where the view is obscured) one should make salâm again when meeting them.

Q. 1. If a mosque get substantial income over and above what is required for the expense of the mosque, should it pay Zakah on its income? The income consists mainly of rental income from properties that have been gifted to the mosque. If it is payable what is the rate?

2. Should an association which is engaged in charitable work (mainly assisting needy students to pursure their education) pay Zakah on these incomes which are used for charity. What about Zakah on their wealth which consist of investments in shares in companies and other such investments?
(Ibid)  Read more... (947 words, estimated 3:47 mins reading time)

Q. It is becoming common for Muslim retail businessmen in South Africa to enter into the so-called consumer credit scheme. The retailer concerned concludes a written agreement with a third party Company (“the Company”). A copy of the Specimen agreement is enclosed herewith. In terms of the Scheme:

a) The customer wishes to purchase such goods on credit over 6 months;

b) The customer is informed that the company may sell him such goods on credit and, for that purpose, the customer fills in a prescribed application containing details relating to his credit-worthiness;  Read more... (1739 words, estimated 6:57 mins reading time)

Q. “The Fiqh Academy has also allowed installment sales. Does this mean that I can now buy a house in UK or USA on installments bearing in mind that each installment includes repayment of “principal” and “interest”.

A. Sale on installment should never be confused with a transaction of interest bearing loan. In a sale transaction subject matter of contract is a commodity which should necessarily be owned by the seller at the time of sale and should be in his possession. But in the case of loan the subject matter of the transaction is money which is advanced to the borrower. The house financing schemes generally practiced in the western countries are based purely on interest. The banks advance money for the purchase of the house and charge interest on it. The house is mortgaged as a security for the repayment of the loan. This transaction has nothing to do with a transaction of sale on installments.  Read more... (359 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Hadrat Samura bin – Jundab (Radi Aflaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH said “The most excellent words are four:
1. Glory be to ALLAH,

2. Praise be to ALLAH,

3. There is no god but ALLAH,

4. ALLAH is most great. [Muslim]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH said, “Two expressions which are light on the tongue but heavy in the scale are dear to the Compassionate One:

“Glory be to ALLAH and I begin with praise of Him,”  Read more... (234 words, 7 images, estimated 56 secs reading time)

Hadrat Abu Musa ‘Ash ‘ari (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated; There was an eclipse of the sun, and the Prophet got up in trepidation fearing that the last hour had come. He then went to the mosque and prayed, standing, bowing and prostrating himself longer than I had ever seen him do. He then said, “These signs which ALLAH send do not come on account of anyone’s death or on account of his birth, but ALLAH produces dread in his servants by means of them. So when you see anything of that nature, apply yourselves to making mention of Him, supplication of Him and asking pardon of Him”. [BukhAri - Muslim]

1. Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated ALLAH’s Messenger as saying, Should anyone falls asleep and fails to the perform supplication such as prayers which he normally made in the night, if he performs it between the dawn and the noon Salaah (Zuhar Salaah) it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night. [Muslim]

2. Bismillah should be said if a (complete) surah is recited after surah al-Fatihah in the Salaah and if only a ruku (part of a surah) is recited, Bismillah need not be said. [Bahishti Zewar]  Read more... (687 words, estimated 2:45 mins reading time)