Is it allowed to shake hand with a woman who is old and is not attractive?
In principle, it is permissible to shake hands with old women only if there is no fear of sin and desire from both sides.
| "It is, of course, haram to kiss the old woman, even though she may be your mother. If she slips you the tongue the sin is doubled and you will be carried off by djinns." |
Please explain whether neck tie or bow ties are allowed or not, in Islam.
The attire of suit, tie and bow tie originated from the West. Generally, an attire resembles a culture and ideology. By wearing a western attire, one will be imitating and indirectly promoting a culture and ideology that is in sharp contrast to Islamic ideology and principles.
| "Proper attire for Muslim consists of flowing robes or the Pakistani salwar kameez; a turban; curly-toed slippers; a scimitar; an AK-47 or RPG; two bandoleers; a boom vest; and a purse, containing three stones. Devout Muslims are not allowed to shave above the neck, and are required to shave everything below it." |
What are the rules concerning birthdays and giving and accepting presents?
This disease of celebrating birthdays was never prevalent among Muslims before, but since Muslims started living alongside the non-Muslims, they have been influenced by them. .... How can it be permissible to waste time by celebrating birthdays and becoming happy that a big slice of one's life is put behind. .... Islam does not permit waste. .... Also, in these gatherings, music, singing, video filming and the taking of photographs and other un-Islamic and forbidden acts take place. May Allah Ta'la guide us and protect us from all these evils.
| "Proper Muslims do not engage in activities which might give pleasure or provide fun, no matter how innocent. Better to spend the time memorizing the Holy Koran or killing infidels. The money you would spend on birthday presents can be put to better use by your local holy man." |
I think celebrating birthdays is wrong but why anniversaries?? Can the husband and wife just go out to eat on their anniversary day?
Celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries have no basis in Islam. They are the customs of the Kuffaar. Rasulullah said, 'That person who imitates a nation is from among them.' The issue is not only about the husband and wife going out to eat on the anniversary, it is also about following the method and ways of the kuffaar which is prohibited.
| "Making a special occasion of it can lead to making whoopee when the couple arrives home. Sex is allowed only to breed new holy warriors, holy men, or more breeding stock. Best to ignore the wife and spend the evening reading the Holy Koran and cleaning your guns." |
Is it permissable to attend women-only functions? (like bridal and baby showers, mehdi, dinner parties etc.) Usually they just eat and talk, sometimes play games, give gifts etc. I know it is not allowed to attend if music is played. My wife feels it is an opportunity to "dress up" and take off her hijaab.
Women-only parties are acceptable. .... However, there is no precept in the Sunnahs for bridal and baby showers. We need to take heed and not end up aping the trends of the kuffaar....
| "The best parties for ladies to attend are those honoring departed shaheeds, preferably their sons." |
I know that it is not allowed to celebrate occasions like Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter, Christmas, etc. But here in USA when these occasions are near, they have sales in stores. Most of the times it is candies that have their symbols or names on them. E.g. when Valentine's Day comes, they sell candies that says happy valentine. .... Would it still be gunnah if we buy these things?
It is clear that the occasion of Valentines, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, etc. have no basis in Islam. To purchase items having symbols of such occasions will be assisting in promoting ideologies that are not acceptable in Shari'ah.
| "Devout Muslims must be careful in this respect, because it has been proven that merely glancing at the symbols of Kufr celebrations can pop the eyeballs from your head. Best to wear dark glasses during these periods, or to remain indoors reading the Holy Koran." |
Is it haram to buy a Muslim child a costume for Halloween? I know that some Muslims do this already.
Muslims are advised to distinguish themselves in their external appearance adopting Islamic ways and methods in all their affairs, whether worldly or Deeni. .... Islam prohibits adoption of the ways and appearance of other beliefs, cultures, customs and nations. Therefore it is very essential that Muslims guard themselves against assimilation into other non-Muslim cultures. .... By adopting even the appearance of the non-Muslims, that in itself is association with them and is therefore sinful. Therefore any act, be it the celebration of a particular community that may or may not necessary be religious, but merely associated to their "way of rejoicing" falls under the same banner - imitating the non-Muslims. The question of Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, etc. may be categorised under the [same] classifications ....
| "On the other hand, dressing your child in proper Islamic garb will help him fit right in on Halloween, won't it? This is the best time of the year to initiate holy war against any neighbors who may have offended your honor or dignity." |
Is it permissible to celebrate April Fools day?
It is not permissible to celebrate April Fools day.
| "As proper Muslims, we never make jokes, laugh, sing, dance, look at pretty girls, or express any interest in anything but the Holy Koran. All else is haram, except for jihad." |
If music and singing is haram in Islam, then why has Allah created birds to sing? If Allah didn't want human being to listen to any kind of music, then why do we have birds and animals that sing at night? If listening to music is a great sin, then why isn't it in the Koran?
The chirping of birds and different sounds of animals, for example, the barking of a dog is not music.
| "When the time is right, Allan will destroy them all, just like he will the infidels. And their little dogs, too! |
Is Islamic rap songs with music accepted? It is reviving Muslims around the world! So what can be wrong?
Music has been condemned strongly in the Qur'aan and Hadith. .... Rasulullah further mentions,'Music grows hypocrisy in the heart just as water causes crops to grow.' Thus, even conceding that there is benefit in such songs, the fact that music is clearly and expressly condemned in the Qur'aan and Hadith would make such songs Haraam.
| "When someone sings to you of the joys of jihad, first stone him or strangle him with a bowstring, then heed his message and kill infidels." |
Are women allowed to dance around women without music?
It is not permissible for women to dance at all even in the presence of only females.
| "It is not permitted for any Muslim to sing, dance, tell jokes, or have fun. I told you that, dammit!" |
I am a 12-year-old girl and I am invited to my old school's reunion. This is mixed, boys and girls. It is at an ice rink to go ice-skating, it is going to be public, not just the people from my old school. If I just stay with girls and avoid the boys can I go, because I just want to go for the benefit of the fun. I have no intension to hang around with the boys,only my girl — friends. Can I go, if not why?
Going to places where there is intermingling of sexes, for no need or necessity, will not be permissible even though you may only intend to be with your girlfriends. What prevents the guys from approaching you? You also state you want to go for the benefit of the fun. Ice-skating involves a lot of moving around. It is not as if you and your friends can seclude yourselves in one place away from the guys. Whilst skating you are most likely to bump and brush against guys and this is also not permissible. Furthermore, many people performing in an audience do so to impress their spectators — in the enquired case, the guys will do so for the girls who may be impressed with the performance and bravery of someone.
| "I told you about having fun! If you keep bringing it up I'll have you stoned, you little hussy!" |
I attend a mixed christian school (boys and girls together) and i have been told that as a Muslim girl, I am unable to undertake the role of a prefect as women cannot take leadership roles. Due to the fact that we will have to look over boys and be a 'guardian' over them. Would it be permissible for me to be elected as a prefect at my school?
Any form of intermingling between Ghayr Mahram (not prohibited in marriage) boys and girls is prohibited. It will, thus, not be permissible for you to accept the position as a prefect in the school.
| "Best if you simply withdraw from the school and marry your first cousin. You're probably old enough to get pregnant by now." |
I am in highschool, going to grade 12. .... I am wondering if it is haraam to pursue a career in culinary arts in Canada, it might involve using alcohol or pig meat. .... I really have the passion to cook, and am very interested in becoming an executive chef some day.
It will not be permissible to pursue the career of culinary arts if it involves using alcohol or pig meat
| "It would be best for you to stop your education at this point, if it hasn't gone too far already. If you are entering the 12th grade there is no reason for you not to be married yet." |
I do not use the TV to watch any other programmes but sports such as Cricket, Soccor & motor racing. It is not practical and financially viable for me to go and watch these sports live so can I watch it on TV as it happens or a delayed transmission?
There are numerous other psychological and moral harms of the TV. Leave alone other programmes, even the sport programmes are inundated with filth. Also, the Hadith has totally prohibited the keeping or making of pictures. By watching TV, valuable time is being wasted and we receive no benefit physically or spiritually. It is, therefore, not permissible to watch the TV.
| "Your time would be better spend reading the Holy Koran and the Hadiths and cleaning your weapons." |
My mom made a promise to Allah that I was not allowed to watch TV for the month of December. I would like to know if its still OK to see my movies on my Lap top or Computer?
It will still be Haraam (strictly prohibited) for you to see movies on your computer or laptop.
| "And not just for the month of December! I'm talkin' forever here, kid! There's filth on the teevee, even on the sports channels! Filth! Titties! Thighs! Buttocks! Wimmin's faces! Oh, Allan! Where is my gun? I must... I must... I must shoot off!" |
Can Muslims make a donation to the sperm bank? If not, please explain.
Since this requires masturbation, it is not permissible.
| "Better to marry your first cousin immediately." |
Can we have Christian servant in home
doing various works like sweeping, washing cloths
making food etc.
Yes, it is permissible.
| "Your Christian servant can be used for much more than sweeping, washing clothes, making food, etc. They are also there for your personal amusement and light exercise. Having intercourse with a Christian servant is not haram and there is no need to ask permission." |