Children

Biologically, a child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.

51991

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 years ago

I am sorry to hear about your situation. This must have been quite a shock.

Islam allows for you to stay together and also allows for separation. It is between you and him. Sometimes married couples confront major challenges and emerge stronger, and sometimes they don't.

It is a good time for soul-searching and considering what you want for the rest of your life, as well as any circumstances (such as how well you get along, whether you have dependent children, whether you are financially independent, and so forth).

There are hadith which discourage divorce in favour of staying married, but it is a recommendation not a requirement. Perhaps, in part, because divorce often puts women in a more difficult situation financially and otherwise. 

It is unlikely you will have the same relationship as you had before, but it is possible for you both to heal from this breach of trust and come to a "new normal"; however, this takes time and effort. Nothing ever stays the same throughout life; we often have to adjust to new circumstances. 

He does have an ethical responsibility to act as a father towards the children and be present in their lives - it's not their fault this happened - but this is a different matter. 

54825

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Priority should be given to the 'Aqiqah, and if they were to do the 'Aqiqah during the occasion of Eid al-Adhha, in shaa Allah they will receive reward for both.

And Allah knows best.

53987

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 years ago

Although this statement is popularly attributed to Imam 'Ali (A), as far as I know, there is no source clearly relating this source from Imam 'Ali (A).

However, if I recall correctly, it is attributed to him (without a chain of narration or the like) by Ibn Abi al-Hadid in Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah.

It is also attributed to Plato by some other classical Arab authors.

Allah knows best. 

53717

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

Music used by sinners is not permissible for us. We must avoid our children attending musical classes if the music is from the type usually used by the sinners.

WAssalam.

53248

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

No, she can not. 

If a pregnant woman is divorced or her Mut'a marriage has finished or terminated, her Iddah (waiting period) goes on till the end of her pregnancy. She will not be allowed to marry any one else before she delivers her baby.

Wassalam.

51324

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

Parents remain parents even after their children are grown up.

Respecting and serving the parents is one of the most compulsories in Islam.

Parents are not allowed to insult their children. If calling a child whether he is grown up or not, by a nickname which he/she does not like must be avoided. The Hadeeth says: Call people with the best name they like.

Wassalam

51962

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

When parents go through a divorce, the worse thing is to involve the children, or God forbid, poison them against any side of the parents or their family. 

Children should never be dragged into such problems, and must be kept neutral. They have an obligation towards their parents, and must honour and respect them both. 

It is equally healthy for the children to have access to both parents, and this will be something very positive for their upbringing.

If things are bitter between you and your ex-husband, suppress your anger and show them the better path by pushing them towards their father as well. 

If you in any way prevent your children from having a relationship with their father, then you are committing a sin and doing wrong to them more than anyone else. If your children themselves do not want to interact or contact their father, then they will be sinning, and you must encourage them to maintain a relationship with their father. They must stay as committed and loyal to both parents as much as possible, and this is something wajib.

This is of course in normal cases where the children are safe, and there is no justifiable reason for them to stay away from their parent. In the case of there being a legitimate shar'i reason for them to be distant from their parent, the situation would be different and it should be dealt with in a different manner.

Wassalam 

51943

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Divorce itself is emotionally draining, let alone being a single parent and trying to make ends meet. As Muslims, we believe that when we are distraught and mentally exhausted we turn to the Almighty for strength and motivation. Allah ta'ala puts us through difficult tests to allow us to evaluate our level of faith and how strong we are. 

If we were to put our mind to something, we would certainly be able to achieve it. This is why in such situations the best thing would have been for you to focus more on your spiritual improvement and empowering through connection with God.

Prayer would have improved your situation and your mental state-of-being. As you did not pray during those years, it is obligatory for you to perform them, as Qadha'. Hopefully we will all be able to value such a blessed opportunity of praying and building a relationship with the Almighty, becoming inspired and empowered.

Wassalam

51953

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

Yes it is allowed to pray on it, but it is better to cover that writing while performing Prayers to avoid diverting the mind of the person who is praying on it.

Wassalam

51422

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

The reply depends on what you mean by adoption. If you mean looking after and bringing up a child, then it is great deed of reward. The Hadeeth says: Best of the homes is a home where an orphan lives with honor. Also it is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA): I and orphan sponsor are in the Paradise together.

But if you mean to look after the child and deprive him from the name of his real father , mother and original family, then it is unlawful in Islam to deprive the child from the name of his father, mother and original family.

Allah says in Quran (Call them by their fathers' name)(ادعوهم لابائهم)Al-Ahzaab,5.

Also it is not allowed to deprive the child from his real mother (إن أمهاتهم إلا اللائي ولدنهم  )(Their mothers really are who gave birth to them) Al-Mujadalah ;2.

Claiming the adopted child as a real son or daughter is forbidden in Quran (وما جعل أدعياءكم أبناءكم ذلك قولكم بأفواهكم  ) (Allah did not make your sponsored/ adopted/ fostered children as your children, that is what you say in your mouths).

So, it is very good to adopt a needy child with keeping his father's, mother's and family name with him always.

Wassalam

50223

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He used to be a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa... Answered 5 years ago

The wife will gain her dowry(Mahr) from the property because it's a debt + one 8th of the property because the dead person had children.
Then the rest of the property will be divided between the children with the formula of: "The share of boys is twice the share of girls"
وَإِن كَانُوا إِخْوَةً رِّجَالًا وَنِسَاءً فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ
But if there be [several] brothers and sisters, then for the male shall be the like of the share of two females. (4:176)

50584

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 5 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

If it is your house, then you must have authority over what enters it and what happens inside the house. Instead of getting to the stage of disowning, or expelling them from your house, try to get them to compromise. 

For example, ask them to cook their non-halal means outside. 

Also, continue to do as much dua for them as possible, that Allah ta'ala enlightens their heart and guides them. Remember that the dua of a parent is always answered.

Wasslam