Life

99755

I know someone who is very religious now but, due to health reasons, is unable to make up their missed fasts. They are 70 years old but may have missed fasts for at least 40 years of their life. What can they do now?

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 2 weeks ago

Bismihi ta'ala

If the 40 years of fasting that they missed was with a valid excuse, then all they need to do is pay a 'fidya' for each day. A fidyah is 3/4 of a kilo of food, given to poor.

If they did not have an excuse, then they must:

1. Repent to Allah ta'ala.

2. Pay kaffarah for each day. Kaffarah is feeding of 60 poor people (most common option).

3. Write in their will that they have this amount of qadha' fasting to be done once they die, either by their next of kin, or they pay someone who will fast as qadha` on their behalf.

Furthermore, from this holy month of Ramadhan, because they cannot fast, they can pay the fidyah.

And Allah knows best.

99264

Islam . Life . Planets

What does Islam say about the possibility of life existing on other planets too?

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 3 weeks ago

We don't have any evidence to reject the possibility of life on other planets. We Muslims believe in the scientific evidence and encourage scientific research in every possible way and field. We also don't believe in imaginations and unsupported claims.

Wassalam.

95719

Life . Future . Husband . Salah (Prayers) . God (Allah)

I prayed to Allah to remove a person from my life if he isn't meant to be my future husband. After praying for several months he is still there for me so is he going to be my future husband?

Bismihi ta'ala

Just because you prayed to ask that someone not being involved in your life or around you anymore does not mean they will have to disappear, or that it will mean something or be a sign for something.

You must try to live your life, and not allow yourself to be concerned or emotionally investing yourself in another individual who might/might not even be interested in you.

It is for you to do dua that Allah ta'ala grants you a noble, righteous and loyal spouse, whoever that may be, and leave the rest for the Almighty.

With prayers for your success.

91549

Life . Hereafter . Faith (Iman) . Tribulation

Is it true that the more faith someone has the more God afflicts him with trials and hardships? And is it true that the more one struggles in this life the more reward one will receive in the hereafter?

The believers are purified by hardships and tests to remove their errors and raise their degrees in Paradise. The Hadeeth says: More tests come with more faith كلما زيد في ايمانه زيد في بلائه

More hardships and tests make the believer more remembering Allah and seeking His help and avoid the believer the feeling of pride or arrogance.

There are many Hadeeths that the the believer who struggles in this life for noble cause, will be more rewarded in the hereafter. We read in Quran: Those who face the hardships with patience (Sabr) for the sake of Allah will have countless reward (Sura 39, verse 10).

We also have Hadeeths that the status of Sabr ( patience) from Faith is like the status of the head from the body.

Wassalam.

74511

Universe . Life . God (Allah)

Can you explain the creation of the universe and life to me? Can you also tell me how long it took Allah to create everything?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 4 months ago

A good sermon to read regarding this is the 1st sermon of Nahjul Balagha

89881

Woman . Life . Husband . Marriage . Sexual . Friendship

Is it allowed for a married woman to discuss any details of her sex life with her husband with any female or male friends?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answered 4 months ago

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

Firstly a Muslim female shouldn't have male non-mahram friends. So this is already out of the question. Yes, interaction with the opposite gender at the workplace for example is permitted.

In regard to discussing private sexual matters with her female friends, this should be avoided. Unfortunately some women fall into this and divulge intimate details of their spouses.

If the woman genuinely needs advice related to sexual matters, she can speak or ask in a general sense without making it specific to herself.

May Allah grant you success

89009

Life . Universe . God (Allah)

Why did Allah create life and the universe?

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... Answered 5 months ago

This is one of those questions that has been asked for thousands of years and maybe it is one we are all meant to ponder on. However, here are a couple thoughts:

* The famous narration that "I [Allah] was a hidden treasure and I wished to be known, so I created the creation."

* Insofar as the attribute of the Creator (al-Khaliq) is one way of describing Allah, one might say that it is an innate tendency of Allah to create, just as a human artist often feels compelled to create. So, simply put, Allah creates because it is the divine nature to make things. Some people view creation as a perpetual matter; that is, every moment, Allah is re-creating creation, not just as something that happened once for the universe.

* Some people also say it is part of divine mercy to create sentient beings. Even though life can be difficult, we wouldn't even be able to say it is difficult if we weren't created with intellect and senses.

It is an excellent question to explore and I wish you the best in your pondering and research!

Life . Universe . God (Allah)

Why did Allah create life and the universe?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 5 months ago

as salam alaikum

Allah is All-Powerful and He does whatever He wishes. Therefore He created the universe because He willed, and so it was.

With prayers for your success.

85614

Life . Du'a (Supplication) . Divine Justice . Tribulation

I prayed that someone get compensated for a harm they suffered but the Dua wasn't answered. Why do such things happen in life, especially to good people, when all they have done is good and yet hardship befalls them time after time?

Allah (SWT) has promised in Quran to respond to the Du'a (supplication) and there is no Du'a with out response. (Your Lord said: Seek from me, I will respond to you) وقال ربكم ادعوني أستجب لكم(Sura 40, verse 60).

We do not know how and when the respond will come. Allah (SWT) knows the best time and best way to respond to any Du'a. Our expectations are according to what we know, but Allah (SWT) knows everything and He is The Most Merciful, The Absolute Wise, so we should leave it to Him. Our mercy on the oppressed can never be more than Allah's mercy on them. He will definitely compensate them in the best way in the best time.
'Wassalam.

80085

Life . Memory . Dunya

Would you start the existence after life with a new memory or would you remember the past from this world?

It is narrated that one of the first things that happens in the barzakh (the next realm after this life) is that a human being is forced to transcribe their entire life.

Also with respect to the hereafter it is said that all deeds will be clearly visible and known, and that all things are recorded (except for what Allah wills to hide or forgive).

So, basically, there is a complete memory there, including of things we have forgotten during our lives in this world.

77221

Life . Qur'an . Salah (Prayers) . God (Allah)

How can I do life activities like exercising and studying and not feel like I am wasting time because I should be reading the Koran, praying and reading Tasfir for the sake of Allah? How do I manage this feeling?

The meaning of worshiping Allah (SWT) is not limited to reading Quran or Tafseer or praying Salah but it is much wider up to the extend of including all useful life activities including studying, working, eating, exercising, resting etc as far as the activity is done for noble cause e.g. being healthy to do good.

There is a Prophetic Hadeeth advising to keep every act of life, for the sake of Allah. That will make life a continuous worship.

Wassalam.

72342

Life . God (Allah)

I am going through a pretty stressful time in my life right now and I feel I’m a bit lost and need guidance from God. What is the best way to ask Him for help and guidance?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answer updated 10 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Trials in life are part of our journey towards the All-Merciful and as such seeking guidance is as simple as asking for it and having faith that an answer will present itself. In asking this question and seeking an answer you are already on the path of guidance. Consult with rational, helpful and experienced people for the issues at hand and then put your trust in God. All believers are in the best situation for them at any given time.

For more traditions and explanation about dealing with trials see this three part series on The Scale of Wisdom Podcast:

Part 1:

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-75-51-261-263-Ordea...

Part 2:

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-76-51-264-268-Ordea...

Part 3:

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-77-51-269-276-Ordea...

The upcoming episode on anxiety may also be useful (release date 11th May 2020)

May you always be successful.