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 ReadingAuthor: zeynep
Controversies 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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…
Continue ReadingAre Angels Male or Female?
The Arabic word “malaa’ikat = مَلاَئِكَة” , which is translated as “angels”, means “messengers” (Mufradat, art. الك). “Jinn” is a common noun used for “beings hidden from perceptions”. The word…
Continue ReadingWhen to separate child’s room?
There is not a certain age for children to be separated from parents’ room, but the Quran guides us on this matter as follows: “Oh you who believe! Let [even]…
Continue ReadingEyebrow Plucking or Threading
There is a hadith narrating that the Messenger of God Muhammad (pbuh) cursed the women practiced tattooing and the women who removed hair from their faces. (Bukhari, Libas, 84; Muslim, Libas, 120)…
Continue ReadingDifferences in Women’s Prayer
There is no verse in the Quran or no hadith in saheeh hadith books about the difference of men’s and women’s prayer. However, there is a hadith in the…
Continue ReadingIslamic Slaughter – Halaal Meat
The Almighty God has decreed: “He (God) has forbidden to you only what died itself (having not been slaughtered before it died), as well as drained blood, swine flesh, and that over which any…
Continue ReadingIs it allowed to pay fidyah instead of fasting in Ramadan?
The Almighty God has decreed: “(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…
Continue ReadingFasting and Prayer During Menstruation and Postpartum Periods
Supersession about the Ruling on Menstruation and Postpartum Periods of Women In dictionaries “naskh = نسخ” is defined as, “transcribing the information in one book to another one, and…
Continue ReadingSkipping the fast as a major sin
Apparently, you only checked the verses in which major sins are listed. So, how come does the refusal of an obligation ordered by God become a minor sin? If refusing…
Continue ReadingIDLIB MASSACRE
Muslims are bound to experience many more massacres if they continue to distort the Quran to their desires, and they will have to account for their deeds to God. The Almighty…
Continue ReadingUsing Counterfeit Goods and Pirated Content
The act of using counterfeit products is similar to acquiring things which you are indeed not entitled to, and this is only another description of “stealing”. Therefore, using counterfeit products…
Continue ReadingIs getting government scholarship lawful or not?
Interest is the extra money that is gained by loaning certain amount of money for a certain time period. That extra money received is considered as interest for the authorities…
Continue ReadingFish and Seafood Caught by Non-Muslims
Eating fish and seafood, whether they are caught by Muslims or non-Muslims, is lawful without exceptions. The Almighty God commands about the aquatic (water) animals, in contrast to terrestrial (land)…
Continue ReadingBeing in Awe in Prayer
The complete verse mentioned in the question is: “Ask for help through patience and keeping the prayer up. Indeed, this is found difficult, except by those who venerate God.” (Al-Baqarah/The Bull;…
Continue ReadingIs Five Times Prayer Mentioned in the Quran?
People seek to find their answers in the exact form they expect to find in the books they read. Therefore, they seek the answer of this question in the Qur’an…
Continue ReadingYahudiyyun and Haadu Words Expressing the Jews in Quran
First of all, the word Yahud is not Arabic. The sons of Jacob (pbuh) were divided into 12 tribes after him. After the death of Solomon (pbuh), 12 tribes of…
Continue ReadingIs drinking kombucha permissible?
Kombucha is any of a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks that are commonly intended as functional beverages for their supposed health benefits. Kombucha is…
Continue ReadingTouching and Reciting the Qur’an Without Ablution or Ghusl
First of all, the verse in the Surah Waqiah is not related to ablution (wudu) at all. Let us read these verses together with the previous ones: فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ…
Continue ReadingIs working for the government lawful (halal) or unlawful (haraam)?
Having some unlawful elements among the income of government does not affect the salaries of officers. What is significant is the legitimacy of the effective job the officer is doing….
Continue ReadingHeirship of Non-Muslim Relatives
There are two aspects of this question: 1- Do non-Muslims fall heir to Muslims? In Qur’an, there is no verse that forbids non-Muslims from falling heir to Muslims. Right on…
Continue ReadingIs Human the Successor (Khalifa) of God?
IS HUMAN THE SUCCESSOR (KHALIFA) OF GOD? (The Issue of Successor and Predecessor) God the Almighty commands: وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا…
Continue ReadingEffort in the name of parents
Your praying and wishing goodness for your parents is a good deed. However, Allah the Almighty takes everyone to account for his/her own self. Your parents must fulfill their duties…
Continue ReadingAdmitting an adult into the marital bedroom
According to the verse 24:58, even those who are not yet pubescent must take permission to enter your room. Admitting an adult in to your room permanently cannot be allowed…
Continue ReadingIs suicide bombing allowed while fighting for Islam?
Sacrificing the self by suicide bombing complies neither with Qur’an nor the practices of the Messenger. Opinions delivered by scholars that support suicide bombing are not based on strong evidences…
Continue ReadingDuty of The Messenger in Terms of Making Clear
The word “rasul = رسول”, frequently mentioned in the Qur’an, means both “information that is sent” and “the messenger who delivers the sent information” [0]. The information is of higher…
Continue ReadingMuslims Today
After the pass away of Prophet Muhammad, during the Companions Period, a chaotic environment; and eventually different sects emerged. Negligence of the sects opened a door to joining others with…
Continue ReadingDeifying The Prophets
Christians deified Prophet Jesus (p.b.u.h.). According to them; had Jesus not existed, the universe wouldn’t have been created. Whatever visible and invisible on the earth and in the skies; thrones,…
Continue ReadingPaying off debts by loaning
Do not resort once again to the forbidden (haraam) in order to pay your debts. A mistake cannot be corrected by another mistake. Otherwise, your debt can turn into a…
Continue ReadingBasmala
“Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi”, known as the Basmala, has various translations in English. Differences arise from the words ‘Rahman’ and ‘Raheem’. The root of both words is ‘rahmat’. ‘Rahmat’, commonly…
Continue ReadingWhat is sanity?
As a judicial term, the concept of a ‘sane person’ refers to an individual who is adequate regarding the mental abilities that serve to differentiate between good and evil, gain…
Continue ReadingIs major dry ablution broken when water is found?
Although, in most of the Islamic jurisprudence reference books it is said that simple dry ablution (tayammum) is broken when water is found afterwards; actually neither simple dry ablution nor…
Continue ReadingWhat are ablution breakers?
Situations which break the ablution of people, are summarized in the following verse: يَاۤ اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوۤا اِذَا قُمْتُمْ اِلَى الصَّلٰوةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَاَيْدِيَكُمْ اِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُؤُۧسِكُمْ وَاَرْجُلَكُمْ اِلَى…
Continue ReadingValue Placed on the Black Stone
The respect shown to the Black Stone is nothing to do with idols. Idol worshipers used to consider their idols as mediators between Allah and themselves, and believed that they…
Continue ReadingIntention for Pilgrimage (Hajj and Umra)
A person who intends to perform Hajj al-Ifrad, that is Hajj only, says: “Glorified Allah, I intend to perform my duty of Hajj; please make it easy for me and…
Continue ReadingIs consuming the additive E120 lawful?
E120; cochineal, carmine, carminic acid; is a coloring pigment, that is obtained from the carcasses, eggs and shells of a female insect, called ‘dactylopius coccus costa’ or with its other…
Continue ReadingQuestionings about Allah
Question: Like many others, I am a person who has faith in God and maintains the 5 daily prayers. Recently I started to question everything in my life. “What is…
Continue ReadingWhite vaginal discharge
Allah the Almighty commands; “… if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and…
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