Author Archives: Ikram Hawramani

Ikram Hawramani

About Ikram Hawramani

The creator of IslamicArtDB.

IslamQA: Is supermarket cheese halal? How to find halal cheese

Assalamualaikum what is your preferred opinion on whether cheese is halal or haram? I've read online that during the manufacturing process rennet can become mixed in with the cheese and therefore it is doubtful? It's very hard to confirm with companies if that happened and also I read one opinion that said the companions ate cheese made in the traditional way and there was no problem with it, but I don't know how authentic or valid that is. Jazak Allah khairun

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

According to many great scholars (such as Ibn Taymiyya) rennet is halal regardless of whether it has been taken from an animal slaughtered in the Islamic way or otherwise, because the rennet is not an organ of the animal but an independent organism. The only controversial issue is whether rennet from pigs is halal, some say it is and some say it is not.

The safest choice is to eat only vegetarian and kosher-certified cheeses, both of which are halal. Vegetarian cheese is made from milk like any cheese but does not use rennet. Here is a long list of cheese brands that are vegetarian and thus halal. Whole Foods brand (365) and Kroger brand cheeses are vegetarian.

Wal-Mart’s brand (GreatValue) uses pork ingredients in its cheeses according to some sites, so that is best avoided.

References:

IslamQA: Is it permitted to use interest to save for marriage or college?

Salam! We have been going through hard circumstances since I'm born. It has always been hard for us to meet our ends. My mum has saved some amount of money for my marriage now, she wants to fixed deposit it in the bank. So that until I get married she can afford my brother's university fees with the interest she would get on it. Would that be right? Cux there's no other mean by which my brother can get his education 🙁

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

May Allah ease your circumstances. Unfortunately interest is never OK to earn, Islam considers it immoral, it’s similar to stealing. She can instead invest in halal savings accounts such as those offered by Al Rayan Bank in the UK. She can also invest in the Azzad Wise Capital Fund which earns money from Islamic bonds.

IslamQA: Does God burden humans with more than they can bear?

Assalamu Aalaikum! it is said that Allah SWT does not burden anyone more than he can bear. My question is why some people go into chronic psychological illnesses after getting struck by some incident. Doesn't this means he's been gone through the burden that he could not bear?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

The more accurate translation of that is that “God does not hold a person responsible for more than what is in their power.” It is not about what kind of stress God allows to happen to someone, it is about what God holds us responsible for. For example if someone is unable to pray due to mental illness, God will not hold them responsible, because God only holds humans responsible for what is in their power.

God allows this universe to function in a natural way, meaning that He allows whatever that could go wrong to go wrong, although He sometimes does intervene to protect certain individuals, or to make history go a certain way He wants.

For more on why God has designed things this way see my essay: Why God Allows Evil to Exist, and Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

IslamQA: Is depression a character flaw or weakness if it interferes with Islamic duties?

AO, on your answer about depression and anxiety, a lot of times I struggle with faith bc depression & anxiety deprives me of motivation & energy and fills my head with all these thoughts, and I feel so guilty because of the way it interferes with my ibadah, I wish I just had the will power to overcome it but I always stay stuck in my old ways,whereas the Prophets PBUT were able to overcome their weakness by their good character, I feel like a loser bc of it, hope what I'm saying makes sense

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

Depression is not a character flaw. It is not something you are doing to yourself, it is being done to you by your brain. I know there are many people who think they have strong characters because they have never suffered depression, but if they take a large dose of retinol (a type of vitamin A) they can become suicidally depressed within hours regardless of how “strong” they think they are. Retinol depletes serotonin from the brain, which is also what happens when someone is depressed.

You are not your brain. You are a soul connected to a brain. If you intend with your soul to do good but your brain and body do not cooperate, then you are still a good person. This is why Islam rewards us for our intentions. If you really want to perform tahajjud but mental or physical fatigue doesn’t let you, then inshaAllah God will still reward you, since He knows you would have done it if you had the energy. God only holds us responsible for the powers He has given us.

I recommend that you seek medical help. Sometimes depression is caused by a genetic problem that causes your brain to lack the chemicals it needs. No amount of positive thinking and will power can help if your brain simply cannot produce the chemicals it needs. The right drugs can restore the balance and give you back your energy and motivation inshaAllah.

Best wishes.

IslamQA: Does the Quran say Judgment Day will be in 1000 years of our reckoning?

Salam, in the Quran it says Judgement day will be like a 1000 years of our reckoning, in an Islamic youtube video it was mentioned that for the Believers this time will pass like the hours between dhuhr and asr. Is this authentic?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

The Quran doesn’t say that. It says a day in God’s view is similar to 1000 years of ours, it is not related to the Day of Judgment. But it seems likely to me that once we die, we wake on the Day of Judgment feeling like just a few hours have passed, even if tens of thousands of years have passed in the world until the Day of Judgment.

IslamQA: Does it make you a bad Muslim to have doubts about Islam?

Salaam, I read Quran daily, pray 5x on time and read durood. Yet sometimes I get these terrible thoughts and doubts about Islam and I don't want these thoughts. I am terrified that I am hard hearted and Allah will be unhappy with me. Jazak khair Allah for any advice

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

That’s perfectly natural. I have read many books by atheists and they would occasionally make me doubt things. Just keep sincerely asking God for His guidance and He will find the right way to guide you. That’s all you need, a sincere desire to seek the truth, and the humility to ask God for guidance.

IslamQA: How to be hard on yourself and easy on others

Salam, I know there’s an idea that you should be hard on yourself and easy on those around you. How can/do you identify when you’re being too easy on yourself? Should the majority of my life be focused on self improvement? I feel like I’ve dedicated a lot of time to this but it hasn’t really been all that successful and I also don’t like treating myself like some sort of self improvement project.. if you have any insight on this, how we should consider ourselves and our actions, wud appreciate

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

If you find out a friend committed a sin, you should be willing to forgive them immediately. But our own sins should be more serious to us. And while you can accept it of others to not read the Quran much or pray tahajjud, you should try to do these things yourself daily. Put yourself through the hardship of worship and God will ease other things in your life for you. This has been my experience.

Best wishes.

IslamQA: Is looking at celebrity pictures spying?

Assalamualaikum, is reading and looking at pictures of celebrities spying?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

If the pictures are taken in public places or shared by the celebrities themselves then no. But if the photographer had to spy on them to take the photo, then yes, you would be engaging in spying by looking at the photos.

Assalamualaikum, thanks for the answer about seeing pictures of public figures, just to clarify does this mean public events that they attend or just pictures of them generally in public? Sorry for asking so much about this, this kind of thing is just not usually talked about.

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

It just means pictures of them in public places, rather than pictures taken secretly when they were expecting privacy, as in pictures of them secretly taken when they were at home.

IslamQA: Is it permitted for Muslims to enjoy Christmas songs?

Assalamualaikum. I grew up watching a lot of cartoons and I still really like them because to me, animation is like a fusion of storytelling and illustrating (2 of my favourite things). So, I remembered watching Barbie in A Christmas Carol and took a liking in Christmas songs; like Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. I didn't know the songs' meaning that time, so I thought it was okay.

But, I found that I still like their melodies and listen to them occasionally although I already knew the meaning. So, is it forbidden to listen to Christmas songs? I’m not exactly sure what’s my intention, but I always see it as a childhood memory. But if it’s forbidden, I’ll try to stop. Thank you 😀

I can’t think of any explicit teaching in the Quran or Sunna that would forbid that. The Prophet PBUH did recommend at a few times not to engage in behaviors in which a Muslim copied non-Muslims for no good reason. I loved Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and have no issue with reading it again myself. But I cannot really say if listening to Christmas songs is OK or not. I don’t mind it if they come on on the TV. But to actually seek them out to listen to them, I think it’s just a matter between you and God. It seems like an innocent enough pleasure to me, and I’m sure God is intelligent and sensitive enough to know that you mean no harm by it. But maybe don’t do it before other Muslims or tell them you do that since they may doubt your faith. And probably avoiding it altogether is the better choice just to avoid doing things that may be in a gray area.

IslamQA: Are savings accounts halal if you give away the interest in charity?

Assalamualaikum, most reputable banks near me gives interest for a savings account, there are 2 Muslim banks but they don't have the best customer service reviews. I need to open a savings account but I don't want any Interest attached. A Muslim friend of mine with the same issue opened an account but records the amount of interest added each time and doesn't spend that amount. Is this allowed? Jzk

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

Why not just keep it in a checking account? Unfortunately even when keeping money in a checking account, we are still involved in usury because the bank uses the money to make interest-bearing loans to other customers. So ideally we should use Islamic banks if this option is available at all.

It is not considered a good thing to do anything that earns interest even if you give away the interest in charity. But if a person has no choice, then it is permitted to do so and give the money away.

Another option would be to keep the money in a mutual fund that earns money from Islamic bonds, such as the Azzad Wise Capital Fund (WISEX). This in general has higher earnings than savings accounts and helps fund halal projects, but it is slightly riskier, although nowhere as risky as investing in stocks. To invest in WISEX, you just need a free account from a site like TD Ameritrade, then you can deposit money into the account and “buy” shares in the mutual fund. It can all be done online.

IslamQA: Can we give sadaqa (alms) to non-Muslims?

Salam, brother! my question is whether we can give alms, sadqa to non Muslims? or is it obligatory to be given to only Muslims?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

Absolutely, we are required to take care of the needy regardless of their religion. The only controversial issue is whether the obligatory zakat alms can be given to non-Muslims. It is generally believed that Muslims should be given preference when it comes to giving zakat, but if there are non-Muslims in extreme need then they too can be given it to save their lives.

But when it comes to ordinary charity, we can give it to anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, and for any cause that is meant to make the world a better place.

References:

IslamQA: Can women do dhikr without hijab?

Brother 1. Can women do tasbeeh and tahleel and adhkar without covering the head? 2. Also i have often heard people say that you go to Kaaba by invitation. You will ONLY go for Hajj when invited by Allah. Is that true?

Yes, women can do all of those and also read Quran without wearing hijab. A woman should only cover up for salah. Regarding being “invited” by God, it just means that when God wants you to go, then He will make the means possible. And if He doesn’t want you to go, then there is no power in the world that can make it possible.

IslamQA: How long does maghrib last?

How long does maghrib last? For example here in the uk sunset is at 3:51. For whatever reason something delayed us would praying at say half 4 still be valid?

Maghrib lasts from sunset to the end of the evening twilight (i.e. until the time of the Isha athan). The time in which the maghrib prayer is valid is usually a little over an hour after the maghrib athan.

IslamQA: The Islamic view of the Netflix series The Messiah (Dajjal)

Salam! Have you seen the new series netflix trailer called 'the messiah"? They're apparently making a show about Dajjal!

Second question: What is your take on the Netflix trailer of a show called messiah which people are saying it’s about the Dajjal? a lot of negative reactions and people saying they are scared, but Allah already told us about this

I think they are just trying to make money. I do not consider Dajjal important and I am skeptical of most of the hadiths about him, so he is the last thing I would worry about. I hope to one day do a thorough study of the hadiths to find out what exactly the truly authentic hadiths tell us about him. Most of the hadiths are rather low quality, so most of what you have heard about Dajjal is probably just superstition, fabrications and things learned from Christians about the anti-Christ.

IslamQA: Is meat from Christians halal?

I'm a revert and my parents always cook non halal meat for dinner (no pork). A somali brother said to me it's ok as it's "christian" meat. What can I do? because out of respect and manners I eat it. Doesn't this invalidate my salah or du'a?

Unfortunately meat and poultry from Christians is not halal because they do not follow Biblical laws on food. Only meat that is kosher-certified (”halal” for practicing Jews) is also halal to Muslims. So any meat or poultry in the West that’s not certified halal or kosher is unlawful for Muslims to eat according to the European Council for Fatwa and Research, and I prefer their opinion. They studied the way animals and birds are slaughtered in Western countries and found out that the methods used do not satisfy Islamic requirements. Only kosher and halal-certified meat and poultry satisfy Islam’s requirements.

The only relevant opinion I can find on the issue of whether one’s prayer will be valid is by the 19th century Maliki jurist Muhammad al-Desouki, who says that if someone eats pork by mistake, they should try to throw it up if it is still in their stomach, otherwise their prayer will not be valid. But if the meat has passed the stomach, the person’s prayer will be valid since there is nothing they can do about it.

You can try to find halal or kosher butchers in your city and ask your family to get their meat from there.

Best wishes.

IslamQA: The proper way to sit during salah and where to gaze during tashahhud

Salam! I have two questions about prayer: during tashahud, do you have to look at your raised finger and does not looking invalidates the prayer? What about the tashahud position: do you have to sit on your left foot? I find that that position difficult and I've always sat on my both crossed feet, is that wrong? Thanks!

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

There are different opinions on that and I prefer the Maliki opinion that there is no need to look at the finger during tashahhud, and I prefer the opinion that we can look comfortably ahead and down (such as at the place where we put our foreheads at prostration, although it doesn’t have to be strictly there, just whatever is most comfortable).

As for the sitting position, it is permitted to sit in any comfortable position as long as it generally resembles the common way people sit in the prayer. So according to Imam al-Nawawi and others there is no issue with sitting on your crossed feet, which is in fact what I do. Sitting on the left foot is considered Sunna, it is not obligatory.

References:

IslamQA: Is it bad to get doubts about Islam?

Salaam, I read Quran daily, pray 5x on time and read durood. Yet sometimes I get these terrible thoughts and doubts about Islam and I don't want these thoughts. I am terrified that I am hard hearted and Allah will be unhappy with me. Jazak khair Allah for any advice

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

That’s perfectly natural. I have read many books by atheists and they would occasionally make me doubt things. Just keep sincerely asking God for His guidance and He will find the right way to guide you. That’s all you need, a sincere desire to seek the truth, and the humility to ask God for guidance.

IslamQA: Is it permitted to listen to Christmas songs?

Assalamualaikum. I grew up watching a lot of cartoons and I still really like them because to me, animation is like a fusion of storytelling and illustrating (2 of my favourite things). So, I remembered watching Barbie in A Christmas Carol and took a liking in Christmas songs; like Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. I didn't know the songs' meaning that time, so I thought it was okay. [p1][p2]But, I found that I still like their melodies and listen to them occasionally although I already knew the meaning. So, is it forbidden to listen to Christmas songs? I’m not exactly sure what’s my intention, but I always see it as a childhood memory. But if it’s forbidden, I’ll try to stop. Thank you 😀

I can’t think of any explicit teaching in the Quran or Sunna that would forbid that. The Prophet PBUH did recommend at a few times not to engage in behaviors in which a Muslim copied non-Muslims for no good reason. I loved Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and have no issue with reading it again myself. But I cannot really say if listening to Christmas songs is OK or not. I don’t mind it if they come on on the TV. But to actually seek them out to listen to them, I think it’s just a matter between you and God. It seems like an innocent enough pleasure to me, and I’m sure God is intelligent and sensitive enough to know that you mean no harm by it. But maybe don’t do it before other Muslims or tell them you do that since they may doubt your faith. And probably avoiding it altogether is the better choice just to avoid doing things that may be in a gray area.

IslamQA: Meaning of taqwa

Salam. Please explain about تقوى

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

It just means to be “cautious” about God, meaning that you keep His presence in mind so that you act respectfully toward this presence, for example by not committing sins.

IslamQA: Is it permitted to recite Quran on graves?

What are the etiquettes of visiting graves? on two separate Islamic websites one says it is permissible to recite Quran and on another it says this is not permissible.

The etiquette is to treat the grave with respect, as if you are dealing with a living and hearing person, such as by saying salam when you approach the grave. Reciting Quran on graves is permitted according to the mainstream scholarly opinion (which I prefer).

References:

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