Does an Unspoken Promise Count?
You are held responsible for the oaths and promises you have made up in your mind. The verse 225 in Surah al-Baqarah explicitly describes this: “God does not hold you…
Continue ReadingControversies Over the Definition of Riba – Interest/Usury
In this day and age, controversies over the definition of “riba = الربا” continue among Islamic scholars. Riba is usually translated as “interest” or “usury” into English. A party of…
Continue ReadingWhat Does “Qur’an” Mean?
The word “quran” derives from the verbal noun (masdar) of the word “qaraa = قرأ” whose root meaning is “collection”. It is used as a noun having the meaning “maqru…
Continue ReadingEid al-Fitr 2018
Determining the beginning of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr caused controversy among the Muslim countries for many years so far. This year, the Eid will be celebrated on Friday 15th of June….
Continue ReadingTHE REFLECTING CHILD SERIES – Meet The Qur’an
“Meet The Qur’an” is a work of rewording Süleymaniye Foundation Qur’an Translation, for children. Taking into consideration that children do not have the tendency to think abstractly, we have chosen…
Continue ReadingFASTING IN DIVINE SCRIPTURES
FASTING IN THE TANAKH: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the…
Continue ReadingTHE FINAL LINK OF THE CHAIN OF DIVINE REVELATION
Traditional Islam regards Islam as a religion that is different than and distinct from previous revelations. The Qur’an, however, names Itself as a Book confirming the previous ones and completing…
Continue ReadingALMS vs. INTEREST / SADAQAH vs. RIBA
Alms versus Interest Sadaqah (صدقة) versus Rib’a (ربا) Financial aids provided without expecting anything in return are counted as alms (sadaqah) in Islam. On the other hand, interest is the…
Continue ReadingTHE SCIENCE OF DISCOVERING THE EXPLANATIONS IN THE QURAN
Throughout history, many mistakes and wrong judgments have been made in the name of Islam. The reason is that scholars assume that they are authorized to explain the Quran. However,…
Continue ReadingSupersession (Naskh) and Stoning Punishment (Rajm)
Naskh, in its literal context, means the act of “bringing two things side by side, and transferring the text in one to the other”. Naskh is also “superseding something, to…
Continue ReadingWhen is the Beginning of Ramadan 2018?
Determining the beginning of Ramadan causes conflicts in the Muslim world very often. Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs applies correct regulations in the way that the Qur’an ordains. As the…
Continue ReadingAsking of God (Dua) in Native Language During the Prostration
Abu Huraira reported: أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَكْثِرُوا الدُّعَاءَ ”” “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is…
Continue ReadingPainting and Sculpture in The Qur’an
Drawing paintings, caricatures or making sculptures of living creatures are not forbidden by any verse in the Qur’an. Contrarily, in the verses that we are going to refer below, their…
Continue ReadingAre the Torah and the Gospel Corrupted?
What is the Corruption (Tahrif) of a Divine Book According to the Qur’an? Are the Taurat/Tanakh[1] and the Injeel[2] Corrupted? Is the Qur’an Corrupted Today? The Arabic word tahrif = تَحْرِيف ,…
Continue ReadingDoes The Qur’an Contradict Itself About Peace at War?
First of all, we must know under what circumstances Muslims are allowed to fight non-Muslims. Verses specify the boundaries that justify a war when transgressed by non-muslims: “God does not…
Continue ReadingDoes God Guide Whoever He Wants?
The Almighty Allah creates the things that are included in His servant’s test according to the servant’s choices. Although He wills all the people to be rightly guided, He does…
Continue ReadingDoes God command slaughtering the enemy at war?
The verses you mention are related to battles. Muslims had their first battle in Badr. The Almighty God has sent down the verse below before this battle: فَإِذا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ…
Continue ReadingIs Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a Noor or a Human-Being?
This dilemma is the result of a common mistake in translations and commentaries. Scholars ascribe the same meaning to the words “Nabi = نبي” and “Rasul = رسل”, which are…
Continue ReadingRunning Background Checks on Suitors
A legitimate right cannot be obtained through illegitimate methods. Even in today’s laws, illegally obtained information cannot be used as legal evidence. Hacking into someone’s account or creating fake accounts…
Continue ReadingOffering the Prayer on Vehicles
Prayers (as-salat) must be observed carefully, especially while on the way. Muslims must do their best to offer the prayer in its due time. If it can not be possible…
Continue ReadingCan a Fornicator Repent and Marry a Chaste Person?
Pre-marital sex is unlawful sexual intercourse (zina). Allah forbids not only zina, but even approaching it. He commands: “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse (zina). Indeed, it is an…
Continue ReadingIs Believing in and Supporting Democracy Shirk?
We do not find a specific type of governance in the Qur’an or in the Example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Each of the governments established by the Companions of Prophet…
Continue ReadingFasting on Eid Days
It is forbidden to fast on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, and on all four days of Eid al-Adha. This is because those days are the days to eat,…
Continue ReadingAblution (Wudu) and Leadership (Imamat) of an Excused Person
An excused person who performs wudu before prayer can keep on his/her worship until the wudu is broken by a reason other than the reason which causes the excuse. They do…
Continue ReadingTravel and Housing Allowances
Travel and housing allowances are the rights granted to employees in return for their work and travel at work. They are determined by the employers based on several factors including…
Continue ReadingIs it lawful to fast on Friday only?
There are valid (saheeh) hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) about not fasting only on Fridays, but adding Thursdays or Saturdays to it. Some of them are as follows: Narrated…
Continue ReadingDo I have to pay the mehr even if the marriage (nikah) is invalid?
If marriage (nikah) was performed without the information and permission of the bride’s family, then that marriage is invalid. However, you have to pay the mehr if the marriage was…
Continue ReadingShould the mehr be paid if divorce happens right after the marriage?
If the marriage was performed without the information and permission of the bride’s family, then that marriage is invalid. Please see the following fatwa about the mehr in case of…
Continue ReadingRepentance from Obtaining Unlawful (Haraam) Wealth
First of all, we need to tell that violating one of God’s commands deliberately can take you to the limits of kufr, which means ignoring God’s verses, if you do…
Continue ReadingIslamic Ruling on Masturbation
Doing masturbation is disliked (makruh) in Islam because it may cause serious health problems in long term. It is not forbidden (haraam) since there is not a specific ruling in…
Continue ReadingIstikhara – Asking for the good from God
The Arabic word Istikhara is of the root “khayr = خير = goodness” and it means “asking for that which is good”. Allah the Almighty teaches us how to ask for His help:…
Continue ReadingHelping In-laws to Convert to Islam
Living with parents in-law is an issue distinct from helping people to convert to Islam. It is about private life and marriage. Women have the right to choose the place…
Continue ReadingMurders of ISIS and Captives of Banu Qurayza
ISIS justifies their violent acts by misusing the verses of the Qur’an and narrations of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). They quote part of the verse at-Tawbah 9:5 “…kill them wherever you…
Continue ReadingPassing in Front of Someone Who Is Praying
Prayer of a praying person is not disrupted or invalidated by anyone passing in front of him/her. However, someone who passes between the body and the prostration place (where forehead touches)…
Continue ReadingIs it OK if I can not pray during the school time?
As-salam alaikum brother, Praying is a worship that is prescribed at certain times of the day. Therefore, recovering them at other times can not be possible. Please see the relevant…
Continue ReadingWhat is the ruling on reading horoscope or coffee?
Horoscope and coffee are objects of telling fortune. Fortune-telling is absolutely forbidden in Islam. The almighty God decrees: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ…
Continue ReadingPertinence of Punishment to the Crime in Sharia Law
It is God Who has created nature and human and Who has sent down the divine Books. Therefore, the rulings in the Quran are in full compliance with the natural law…
Continue ReadingSupervision in marriage
Your marriage is absolutely not void. You are saying that you married your husband at a court. That means you had a supervisor (wali) and some people to witness in…
Continue ReadingWere the hands of thieves cut off at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)?
The verses on the punishment of theft are as follows: .وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ فَمَنْ تَابَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ…
Continue ReadingMarriage with Prophet Muhammad’s Wives
First of all we recommend that you “Invite to the way of your Master with wisdom and good admonition, and strive with them in a way that is best” (16:125)….
Continue ReadingDid Hz. Aisha (ra) marry Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at the age of nine?
Even though there are narrations “Aisha (ra) married Prophet Muhammad when she was six years old and she was nine when he consummated the marriage” in some of the Hadith…
Continue ReadingUnder what circumstances the hand of a thief can be cut off?
The Almighty God decrees: وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ “Cut off the hands of both male thieves and female thieves as the…
Continue ReadingTaking an Oath on Something Other Than God
Taking an oath on anything or anybody other than God is wrong. Such oaths are invalid. Narrated Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) found ‘Umar al-Khattab in a…
Continue ReadingDo I have to live in the same house with my parents-in-law?
You do not have to live in the same house with your parents-in-law. You can live in another house and that is not inconvenient from the Islamic point of view. …
Continue ReadingInterest in My Health Savings Account
Any amount of money received in addition to your capital is interest, and it is haraam. The only exception is the rate of inflation: Before the fiduciary monetary system (paper…
Continue ReadingHeirship of a Child Born out of Wedlock
A child born out of wedlock can only be the heir of his mother. If the child was born in another man’s house while his mother is married to him,…
Continue ReadingDefamation of Islam through the Rhetoric of Love And God in Christianity
In this day and age, some of the Christian missionaries allege that Islam is based on the fear of God whereas Christianity is a religion of love in which God…
Continue ReadingWhat should I do if I break my vow to God?
Breaking a vow to God is similar to breaking an oath. There is a hadith regarding this: “ كَفَّارَةُ النَّذْرِ كَفَّارَةُ الْيَمِينِ ” “The expiation of (the breach of) a…
Continue ReadingThe Expiation for Breaking an Oath
Expiation is a general term referring to a type of physical or financial religious duty for someone that has violated a certain commandment and seeks forgiveness. The expiation for an…
Continue ReadingThe Science of Explaining the Quran
THE SCIENCE OF DISCOVERING THE EXPLANATIONS IN THE QURAN
Continue ReadingBeating Wives- or Restoring Their Rights to Divorce Men?
Does God Command Beating Women? The Arabic word “darb” in verse an-Nisa 4:34 is alleged to be the justification of violence against women in most of traditional Islamic jurisprudence books….
Continue ReadingWhat are the conditions of a valid marriage?
Nikah is not only an agreement between two people. It has social and familial results. The traditions and the rules of the society play a role on the marriage. Therefore,…
Continue ReadingWhat is the ruling on fasting the Ashura Day?
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had ordered Muslims to fast on Ashura days (9th, 10th, 11th days of Muharram) before the verses about Ramadan fasting were sent down. After the verses…
Continue ReadingIs there a special form of worship to perform in the month of Muharram?
In terms of the rules of fasting, there is no difference between the obligatory Ramadan fast and optional Muharram fast. The same three cases which break the fast in Ramadan…
Continue ReadingDOWNLOAD THE GRAND QURAN TRANSLATION: AL-FATIHA & AL-BAQARAH / CHAPTERS: THE OPENING & THE BOVINE
By the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Beneficent, Below is the first volume of Süleymaniye Foundation Qur’an Translation Series. The Book “Surah al- Baqarah” includes thorough information…
Continue ReadingMaking Up for the Missed Prayers
In fact, there is no such thing as making up for the missed prayer in the Qur’an and in the Example of Messenger Muhammad. If you forget or sleep, you…
Continue ReadingCan we do charity instead of sacrificing?
The main idea of sacrifice is slaughtering specific animals at specific days for the sake of Allah. Therefore, the worship of sacrifice is not accepted to be fulfilled without performing…
Continue ReadingWho Should Sacrifice as a Worship?
In the Qur’an, the Almighty God decrees: “And to every community (ummah) We have appointed time and place of sacrifice[1], so that they might extol the name of God over…
Continue ReadingPunishment for Homosexuality in Islam
Islamic jurisprudence schools have different opinions about the notion of “zina”. The Hanafi sect defines “zina” as “vaginal heterosexual intercourse” basing on the literal and terminological meaning of the word,…
Continue ReadingIs it lawful -halal- to use the bonus points paid by banks?
They are the presents of the banks that offer the credit card and presents are halal. You can use them.
Continue ReadingMarried Women Caring For Their Own Parents
Whether her husband lets her provide care for her mother or not, if there is no one else to care for the mother or if the woman has a partial…
Continue ReadingIs Late Fee Considered as Interest?
Before the fiduciary monetary system (paper money system), money was made of gold or silver, which are precious metals. Therefore, any amount of increase added on the principal was obviously…
Continue ReadingKilling Dogs and Pigs
Killing dogs or pigs is not necessary, they should be treated like all other animals. “Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has ordered the killing of…
Continue ReadingMuslim’s Response to Blasphemy
The commanded attitude against non-Muslims in the Qur’an is as the following: “… And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those…
Continue ReadingPlaying Chess
Although there are many hadiths that criticize and forbid the game backgammon, there is only one hadith against the game chess, and it does not even reside in saheeh hadith…
Continue ReadingIs Developing Computer Games Lawful?
While making a judgment on a matter, the following principle is observed: ‘Permissibility is the original state of things (al-Asl fi al–Ashya al-Ibaha).’ What may cause game development to be forbidden would be inclusion…
Continue ReadingCovering the face
Women do not have to cover their faces with a veil, niqab or other types of covering. We can understand it by the following verse and hadith: In the 52nd…
Continue ReadingWorking of women
According to the Quran, all believers can work for giving zakat: “Believers will attain what they hope for. They are reverent in their prayers. They turn away from idle talk….
Continue ReadingVerses about Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (Fornication)
The Glorified God commands in the 15th verse of chapter Nisa: “Call four witnesses among you against those of your woman who commit vice (unlawful sexual intercourse). If they testify,…
Continue ReadingWhat is the ruling on fasting in Shawwal ?
The following hadiths reside in hadith books about the six days of fasting in Shawwal: “A person who performs fasting in Ramadan and then adds six more days in Shawwal…
Continue ReadingFather in-Law Greeting Daughter in-Law by Hugging
There is eternal prohibition of marriage between father and daughter in-law. They are mahram to each other. The following verse sets the rules on covering of women near their mahrams:…
Continue ReadingWhat is the ruling on consuming gelatin?
As it is widely known, wine is a forbidden drink according to Islamic law, but it transforms into vinegar through a chemical process, thus becoming lawful to consume. This physical…
Continue ReadingWill Jesus Return to Earth?
According to the Qur’an, Jesus (pbuh) is not alive. Allah has taken his soul. Allah the Almighty commands: اِذْ قَالَ اللّٰهُ يَا ع۪يسٰىۤ اِنّ۪ي مُتَوَفّ۪يكَ وَرَافِعُكَ اِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذ۪ينَ…
Continue ReadingDoes Civil Marriage Count as Nikah?
Marrying via civil marriage is not forbidden; but it lacks some of the conditions that a valid Islamic marriage (nikah) requires, which are: – Considering the…
Continue ReadingConditions of a Valid Divorce by Men (Talaq)
The Almighty God describes a valid divorce by men (talaq) as follows in the Surah At-Talaq: “O Prophet, when you [Muslims] pronounce the words of divorce to women, divorce them…
Continue ReadingAre Muslim Women Allowed to Go to Space?
Being an astronaut is permissible both for men and women. The points to consider are the same as in other occupations for Muslims: – A man and a woman who…
Continue ReadingCAPTIVITY, SLAVERY & CONCUBINAGE ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AN
BATTLE CAPTIVES[1], SLAVERY AND CONCUBINAGE It is against the rulings of the Quran to enslave the male or female war captives and to have sexual relations with them without marriage….
Continue ReadingDo All the Prayer Times Occur Above 45 Degrees of Latitude – in the Polar Regions?
According to the balance that God has set, in every season dhuhr, asr, maghrib, isha, middle of the night, sahar, imsaq/fajr times are observed everywhere . The middle of the…
Continue ReadingWhy Men Inherit Twice the Women
The rules of Qur’an are effective till the Day of Judgment. The rulings that are set and not superseded in the Qur’an cannot be claimed as historic, and the rulings…
Continue ReadingSealing of Hearts
It is a matter of concern whether God seals/locks people’s hearts, and if He does, how people can be held responsible for it. Let us take a look at the…
Continue ReadingCheck the Prayer Times and the Explanatory Article
Click to see the DAILY PRAYER TIMES of your location. Click to read the article based on verses, hadiths and observations in the ARCTIC: “PRAYER TIMES from the EQUATOR to…
Continue ReadingShould patients of diabetes fast in Ramadan?
The Almighty God permits the sick people not to fast. Related verses of Surah Al-Baqarah are as follows: 184: (The prescribed fast is for) a certain number of days. Whoever among…
Continue ReadingWho are entitled to receive zakat?
The Almighty God decrees in the Quran: “The obligatory charities are for the needy, the desperate (masakeen), those employed to collect the obligatory charity (zakat) and those to warm their…
Continue ReadingWhat are the commodities that are subject to zakah?
All commodities, which are articles of trade or commerce are subject to zakat. It is not possible to count the commodities one by one. Any article that is bought in order…
Continue ReadingWhat is zakat?
Zakat is a worship which is a financial obligation upon Muslims who have a certain amount of wealth. It is the rightful share of others in a person’s possessions.[1] The…
Continue ReadingDoes donating blood break the fast?
Donating blood does not break the fast. Things that leave the body do not break the fast.
Continue ReadingIntention (Niyyah) of Ramadan Fast
The intention for Ramadan fast can be made from the beginning of evening prayer time till the next day late-morning, which is almost 5-10 minutes before the dhuhr prayer time….
Continue ReadingI am indebted for house, should I give zakat?
You would have to give zakat only if the amount that remains after you subtract your total debt from your total wealth is more than the amount of nisab (85…
Continue ReadingDoes not the taste of toothpaste break the fast?
The teeth can be brushed by both miswak and tooth brush. Brushing the teeth is the same as washing the hands because mouth is considered as an external organ of…
Continue ReadingWho must give fidyah in Ramadan?
The Almighty God decrees: “(The prescribed fast is for) a certain number of days. Whoever among you does not fast on those days because you are sick or on a…
Continue ReadingSwallowing water accidentally while fasting
You can continue to fast as long as you do not swallow intentionally. The Almighty God has decreed: “God does not bind anyone with a responsibility which is beyond their…
Continue ReadingDo we have to give the zakat and sadaqat al-fitr in Ramadan?
Sadaqat al-fitr has to be given in Ramadan because it is a worship related to fasting. A hadith from our Prophet (p.b.u.h.) is as follows: “Whoever gives sadaqah-al fitr before…
Continue ReadingWho must give zakat?
Every Muslim, who is sane, has reached puberty, and owns a wealth that is at least as much as the amount of nisab is responsible for giving zakah of their…
Continue ReadingWhy do we fast?
The Almighty God explains the purpose of fasting in verse 183 of Chapter Baqarah as follows: “Oh, you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you in the way that…
Continue ReadingDoes tasting the dish break the fast?
What breaks the fast is eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Allah commands: “(…) Eat and drink, until the white streak (of light) in the direction of the red streak of light…
Continue ReadingFasting of women during menstruation periods
Women must fast in Ramadan just like everybody else does, even though they are on their monthly periods. According to verse 187 in chapter Baqarah in the Quran, things that break…
Continue ReadingDoes taking injections or drips break the fast?
Turkish High Committee of Religious Affairs has the following opinion about injections and drips, which we also agree with: “The injection may or may not break the fast depending on its…
Continue ReadingDoes sublingual medication break the fast?
Sublingual medications are orally disintegrating or dissolving medications that are administered by being placed under the tongue. These medications are transferred to the bloodstream from the mucous membranes in the…
Continue ReadingTalaq – Men’s Right To Divorce
According to the Quran ‘talaq’ is a right possessed by the men. This is because the actor of all the actions about ‘talaq’ are men. Women’s right to divorce is…
Continue ReadingSelling Intoxicants in non-Islamic Countries
Although the place you live in is a non-Islamic country, it is not permissible to sell alcoholic drinks there. The orders and prohibitions of God does not vary depending on…
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