Western Society

The Western world refers to various nations depending on the context, most often including at least part of Europe (especially European Union with EFTA), Australasia (especially Australia and New Zealand) and the Americas (especially North America).

134135

Swimming . Western Society

Is it allowed for me to participate in competitive swimming where the men and women are not in close contact to each other and no forbidden act is taking place, and there is no other option for me as in the West all places are mixed?

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 5 mesi fa

To be in a place of competition of swimming with women itself is not permissible for Muslim man. Obviously swimming dress of women in the West is un-Islamic and we can not look at women with out full Hijab.

You should save yourself from such places where you look at women with out proper Hijab.

Wassalam.

86685

Lawyer . Riba . Western Society . Bank . Employment

A commercial lawyer in the West works at a law firm that has clients such as banks that charge Riba and have Haram investments. Would it be permissible to work in that firm if they did not work in any financial practice areas that dealt with those banks?

If you are sure that you will never help in usury or any unlawful (Haraam) work, then you can work in such legal firm.

'Wassalam.

128897

Wife . Marriage . Western Society . Polygamy

Is it ok to secretly marry a second wife if the laws of the country, like in many countries in the West, does not allow marrying more than one wife at a time?

We are not dealing here with legal matters nor giving any legal advice. We are dealing with Islamic matters and reflecting the rulings of the leading scholars ( Maraaji' of Taqleed). Muslim should not break the law of the country where he lives unless it contradicts with his faith and religion.
Main matter in second marriage is fulfilling the Islamic conditions of practical justice between wives. If this condition is not fulfilled, second marriage will be not permissible in Islam.

If your question is a legal question, you should ask your legal adviser.

Wassalam.

127742

Sin . Hijab . Women . Western Society

Is it compulsory to frown in the face of sin or express displeasure when witnessing a sin, even if it will not have any effect, especially in cases like the Hijab where a lot of women in the West do not observe it?

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... Answered 8 mesi fa

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. One of the conditions for amr bi al-ma'ruf and nahy an al-mukar is that it should have an effect. So if you are sure certain actions will not have an effect the conditions to carry out that action have not been fulfilled.

May you always be successful

128330

Vegetarian . Halal . Meat . Restaurant . Western Society . Cooking Oil . Food

Very often restaurants in the west fry their vegetarian products in the same oil as non-halal meat products. Is it okay to eat? If we don't know if this takes place, are we required to ask at each restaurant?

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 8 mesi fa

Bismillah,

If one knows that a product is fried with non-halal meat, then it would become najis (impure) and haram to eat. If one didn't know then there is no sin upon them.

May Allah grant you success

126959

Face . Lust . Western Society

In the West, it seems unavoidable for a Muslim man to look at the face of a non-Muslim woman. How should one behave if looking at the face of such a woman causes lust or attraction?

Looking at the face of a female which causes lust or attraction is definitely not permissible in Islam. Muslim man must avoid any looking which causes lust or attraction. Lowering gaze is obligatory on Muslims as we read in Quran (Sura 24, Verses 30 and 31.

Wassalam.

126210

Gym . Sin . Gender . Western Society

Is it permissible to open a gym in the West where both genders can mix freely with an intention to create an environment for exercise? If it results in sin, isn't it true that any gender mixing can cause it such as at restaurants?

Any work or act or business which causes or leads or results in sinful act is not permissible. Making both genders mix with out proper Hijab is not allowed in Islam. Usually gyms in western countries don't care for proper Hijab, that it why Muslim should not indulge himself in such business which can lead to sinful acts, otherwise he will be responsible and his income from such sinful business will not be lawful.

Wassalam.

123351

Food . Income . Halal . Western Society

I live in a western country where I earn a living through providing food delivery services. Is the income permissible given that most of the food will not be Halal?

It is not permissible for a Muslim to deliver alcohol, beer as well as pork to any one even to non Muslims.

Other non Halal food can be delivered to non Muslims who are allowed by their religion to consume it.
Wassalam.

121577

Feet . Shoes . Socks . Ghusl . Wudu (Ablution) . Western Society . Clothing . Salah (Prayers)

I do Ghusal every morning but Wudu is very difficult to manage in western clothes and I miss my prayers frequently. Is there any relaxation in doing Wudu by not having the feet wet? Is there any alternate by not taking off the shoes or socks?

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 1 anno fa

Sorry to hear you are having wudu challenges.

While many people successfully complete wudu in Western clothing, I agree that Western clothing (especially formal wear for men) is more restrictive than some other cultures' forms of clothing, and may pose some logistical challenges (such as Sleeves That Do Not Rise or Inflexible Trousers), or is in an awkward space (Work Bathroom With Colleagues Staring). I am sure many of us have had Adventures in Clothing We Cannot Do Wudu In.

(This is setting aside other issues, such as not being able to undo buttons on sleeves due to a mobility problem, which would be a different sort of issue and would need a different intervention)

So, first, some general thoughts:
* If possible, try to wear clothing that you know you can do wudu in while wearing. I know that sounds simple, just putting it out there. Sometimes you can change what you wear, and sometimes you can't.
* If you are doing wudu in the same place regularly (such as a job site), perhaps you can keep some helper items around you, such as plastic slippers, or a stool. If it is awkward to keep those in a washroom area, maybe there are other locations you can do wudu, such as on an outdoor or park bench with a water bottle?

Sock Challenges vary according to madhhab.

* Sunni - The down side of Sunni-style wudu is that you have to wash your feet. Yes, it's awkward lifting up your feet and sticking them in the sink at work. Sometimes they even have rules against it. There may be other more comfortable or more discreet ways to accomplish this. You will have to think outside the box to find what works for you.

The plus side is, many Sunnis will allow wiping over leather socks as long as one has done wudu before wearing them. So, if you are doing Sunni-style wudu, you could see if that is a possibility. As in this article: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9640/conditions-of-wiping-over-socks

* The plus side of Shi'i-style wudu is that you only have to wipe the feet. This can be done more discreetly without hauling your feet up into the sink, and is easier to do away from running water. Overally, Shi'i-style wudu is more water-efficient. But you do still have to wipe the feet, and there is no option to wipe over leather socks.

Some time ago, they used to sell "wudu socks" for women (I think made in Iran?). Perhaps they still exist. They were socks with flaps at the toes, so that, rather than taking off the entire sock, you could just open the flap and wipe the foot from the toe area, then close the flap back up. I am not sure if such items existed for men, but you could have a look and see if such a thing exists. If not, maybe make your own or have them made, or start your own product line?

Anyway, in short, yes, you do still have to do wudu as long as you actually have water and are able to perform wudu.

If you have a physical reason why you are absolutely unable to perform regular wudu (such as a cast on your foot), or some other sort of mobility consideration, that is a different situation and you should look up your specific case in accordance with the type of fiqh you follow.

But if it is just awkward, maybe you can think of some different ways to go about doing wudu that help to meet your needs better and make life easier. After all, Allah desires ease not difficulty!

120873

Western Society . Toilet

How are we supposed to use western toilets in a way that complies with Islamic rulings?

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 1 anno fa

Bismihi ta'ala

There are two sides to this, one is the taharah/najasah side, and the other is the cleanliness hygienic side. It's always best to avoid public toilets, maybe for both reasons, but if you must, then you have to evaluate if you must stay in state of taharah for salat. If you do not need to stay in state of taharah for salat, then you can use the facility without concern about the first side, becase you can get home, wash, change yourself, do wudhu' and pray.

If you need to stay in the state of taharah, you will need to have a bottle of water, and once you relieve yourself, you can wash.

As for the toilet seat, if you must sit down on it, you can cover it with toilet paper, and if it was wet, try to dry it first, and then cover with toilet paper.

As to whether the toilet seat is facing the qiblah, or its back is to the qiblah, if you do not know, then you do not know, and relieving yourself will be permitted. If you do know, sit on an angle.

It does seem to be a big task, but it isnt. As long as you are prepared, and kind of need to.

And Allah knows best.

99011

Children . Parents . Western Society

Is it permissible to become a foster parent in a Western country? If so, how does it work Islamically when most children are not raised Muslim?

Yes it allowed to foster children in any country. Helping and looking after and upbringing any child in need is a noble work which has great reward. Non Muslim children looked after by good Muslims might make them discover the great teachings of Islam and enlighten their life with the light of Islam.

Wassalam.

112236

Society . Islam . Western Society

I hide my opinions on political matters in society since Islam's rulings on some are controversial to westerners, and I often fear to make mistakes while talking. Is it obligatory for me to openly proclaim the messages of Islam?

It depends on your circumstances. If you are surrounded by people who can harm or might harm you if you speak out the truth, then you need to be careful and don't disclose any thing which can harm you or harm any other believer.

in general, political matters which are controversial should be avoided.

Our responsibility is to convey the message of real Islam to those who don't know it, avoiding any issue which can be rejected or create difficulty which does not help spreading the message of the truth.

Wassalam.