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Q. Kindly throw some light on the use of credit cards, which are floating in the market. Majority of these cards belong to Professional banking institutions, such as American Express, City Gold Card etc. However, some cards are issued by companies such as Diners club etc, which are not themselves banking institutions. Please explain the ruling of Shariah about both these cards. In your reply please cover both the aspects of using credit cards, first as holders of the card, used to offset the purchase price and second, when we accept these cards as sellers.
(Muhammad Salman, Karachi)  Read more... (484 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

1. If it is not possible to bring about any conciliation between husband and wife and the husband even refuses to divorce her, it is permissible for the wife to give some money or her mahr to her husband and tell him to let her go in exchange for that money. Alternatively, she could ask him to let her go in exchange for the mahr that he is still owing her. In answer to her request, the husband says: “I let you go.” In saying so, one talâqul bâ’in takes place. The man does not have the right to keep her back or to revoke his divorce.  Read more... (1069 words, estimated 4:17 mins reading time)

Q. “Thank you for your answer to my question which appeared in November 1991 issue, concerning the adjustment of the Interest amount to the loss of principal in the BCCI. Please clarify whether the interest received from another source other than BCCI can be adjusted against loss of capital in BCCI?
(M.S. Desai, Saudi Arabia)  Read more... (215 words, estimated 52 secs reading time)

Q. A lives in the United States of America. He wants to marry B, a gril living in Karachi. A, for a number of reasons, cannot come to Karachi to marry her, nor B can go to U.S. unless she is proved to be the wife of A. How can A and B contract a valid marriage without meeting each other?

Is it permissible for them under Shariah to contract marriage on telephone by pronouncing offer and acceptance?  Read more... (384 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

11. It is mentioned in a Hadîth that you should not propose to a girl when your fellow Muslim brother has already proposed to her until he gets married or gives up this proposal. In other words, when a person has sent a proposal to a particular family and there is a likelihood of their replying in the affirmative, another person should not send a proposal to that same family. However, if they reject this first person, or he himself changes his mind, or they are not too happy with him and are still hesitant in giving a reply, it will be permissible for another person to send a proposal for the same girl.  Read more... (811 words, estimated 3:15 mins reading time)

11. The same rules apply to a mature boy, i.e. he cannot be forced into a marriage nor can the wali perform his nikâh without his permission. If his nikâh is performed without his permission, it’s validity will be dependent on his permission. If he expresses his consent, his nikâh will be valid. If not, it will not be valid. However, it should be borne in mind that the boy’s silence is not considered to be a form of granting permission. He will have to give a verbal reply.  Read more... (1083 words, estimated 4:20 mins reading time)

Hadrat Buraidah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa SaIlam) about the time of the Salaah, to which he replied: “Offer Salaah with us these two days (today and tomorrow)”. Thereafter when the sun passed the meridian he gave command to Hadrat BilaI (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) who uttered the call to Salaah (Aazan) then he recited the iqamah for the noon Salaah (and Zuhr Salaah was perform). Then (at the appropriate time) he commanded Hadrat Bilal and he (as usual first uttered the calls to Salaah and then) recited iqamah for the afternoon Salaah (and Asr Salaah was said). This Aazan and Salaah was performed at times when the sun was sufficiently high white and clear (i.e. its light had not faded as it does when evening falls). Then as soon as the sun had set, the Prophet commanded Bilal to call the Azan and recite iqamah for the sunset Salaah (and maghrib Salaah was perform). Then when the twilight had ended, he commanded Bilal to call the Aazan and recite iqamah for the night Salaah (Salaah – Isha was perform). Then when the dawn appeared, he commanded Bilal to call the Azan and recite iqamah for the Morning Salaah (and Salaah Fajrs was perform). Next day he commanded him to delay the noon Salaah till the extreme heat had passed and he did so, and he allowed it to be delayed till the extreme heat had passed. He observed the afternoon Salaah (Asr Salaah) when the sun was high delaying it beyond the time he had previously observed it he observed the Maghrib Salaah (Sunset Salaah) before the twilight had ended: he observed the Isha Salaah (Night Salaah) when a third of the right had passed; and he observed the (fajr Salaah) dawn Salaah when there was clear day light. Then asking where the man was who had enquired about the time of Salaah and receiving from him a reply that he was present, he said, “The time for your Salaah is within the limits of what you have seen.” [Muslim-Ma’riful Hadis]  Read more... (505 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

I wish to end this chapter with a story related by the author of ‘Ithaaf’.

Once one of the mureeds of Sheikh Shilbi; the great saint; came to visit him after having performed Haj. The Sheikh asked him some questions. The mureed continues the story:

The Sheikh asked me: “Did you make a determined niyah for Haj?”

I replied: “Yes I made a firm intention for performing Haj.”

Sheikh: “Together with having made a firm intention for Haj; did you also have a firm niyah of forever giving up doing all those things you did since you were born that are opposed to the spirit of Haj?”  Read more... (1287 words, estimated 5:09 mins reading time)

An elderly Arab lady was sitting alone at the trunk of a tree and Abdullah bin Mubarak also happened to pass that way. Seeing this lady in distress, he spoke to her. The discussion is recorded as follows:

Abdullah bin Mubarak: Asalamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah.

The lady: The word from a merciful Lord is peace [Ya Sin 36/58]. She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself. She said further: Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them. [Araaf 7/186]. She meant that she had lost her way.  Read more... (1132 words, estimated 4:32 mins reading time)

Hazrat Ibn Shimaastah R.A. reports we were present around Hazrat Amr Ibn al-Aas R.A. before he passed away. He cried for a long time and then related the story of his embracing Islam. He said: “When Allah caused Islam to enter my heart, I came to Rasulullah Sal’am and said: ‘O messenger of Allah, put forth your hand that I may swear allegiance. ‘When Rasulullah Sal’am stretched forth his hand, I withheld mine. Rasulullah Sal’am inquired: “What troubles you ‘O Amr?” I said: I went to make a condition that Allah shall forgive my previous sins”. Rasulullah Sal’am replied: ‘O Amr, do you then not know that Islam washes away all sins committed in disbelief, and that the Hijrat (migration) washes away all sins committed before Hajj?”  Read more... (410 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)