Q. We are letting a property in town which is vacant at the moment. We have a potential tenant who wants to sell Bibles. Are we allowed to let out premises for this purpose?
A. It is an established fact that Christian missionary organizations today are peppering Muslims with their literature and ideologies. They have stooped to all-time low levels of deceiving Muslims through their books, pamphlets, leaflets and advertising. It is therefore certain that the proposed tenant for your place will not only sell Bibles but will also sell his ideas of Christianity in the form of brochures and even free literature. It is therefore not permissible to let out your premises to such a person. In doing so (i.e. refusing to let your place to a Bible-seller) you will, Insha-Allah, be assisting in the defence of Islam. This should be your intention. Allah Ta’ala will, if He Wishes, reward you by arranging for another tenant.

Q. A man sold a BMW to another. At the time of the sale the seller expressly stated that there were no faults in the vehicle. He even went as far as saying that the engine is in perfect condition. The car was used by the buyer for only six days when it started giving trouble. Upon checking, the mechanic discovered that the water pipe was broken. In fact, the mechanic states that before purchase the pipe had a hole, which caused leaking and further damage. Due to overheating the whole engine seized. Now the vehicle is not operable. What is the Shar’i ruling on this issue?
A. Since the initial fault was present at the time of the purchase, the parties can do one of two things: a) the buyer may return the vehicle and get a full refund from the seller or; the buyer can force the seller to repair the vehicle at his (seller’s) expense. In both cases the choice lies with the buyer.

Q. Are South African court divorces recognised by the Shariah?
A. If the husband seeks a divorce in court merely to annul a court marriage without a real intention of issuing talaaq then between him and Allah such an act will not be considered as a divorce. But to ensure this it is better for the husband to state in front of two witnesses prior to going to court, that ‘I am going to admit to a divorce only to cancel our court marriage’, expressly denying his intention to divorce his wife in Islamic terms. In this way the whole matter becomes safe. The above is based on the principle that false admission to divorce is not a true divorce between the man and Allah. Furthermore, if the wife goes to court and asks for a divorce and is granted one, such a divorce is not valid and of no consequence in Shariah, because she is not vested with the right to divorce her husband. Even a Muslim judge cannot divorce a woman merely upon her request.

Q. Can a woman go out and work?
A. A woman who is self sufficient or is being supported by her husband or family members, is not allowed to work at all. It is haraam for her to leave home for this purpose. A woman may only work if she has no husband, nor any relative who is prepared to maintain her, or if the husband is present but is unable or refuses to support her for whatever reason, and she and her children are in desperate need for food and provisions. In such a case of extreme emergency, she must observe proper hijaab when moving out of the home.

Q. We were making a jamat salah. When our Imam made the takbeer, he said it softly, (i.e. the takbeer-e-tahreema to start the salah). Is our salah valid?
A. Yes, the salah and jamaat both are valid. To say the takbeers loudly in jamaat salah is sunnat, not faradh or wajib. So if these takbeers are uttered softly, the validity of the salah will not be affected. However, this should not be done deliberately, for then, even though the salaah is valid, it is sinful.

Q. After making wudhu I discovered that part of the arm was not washed. Must I repeat the entire wudhu or not?
A. There is no need to repeat the wudhu. Just wash the part that was dry and your wudhu will be in order.

Q. Give me a list of items upon which zakaat is levied.
A. Zakaat is payable on the following types of wealth: Cash money, gold and silver (whether these are in the form of jewellery, cutlery, coins, or anything else), stock-in-trade, and livestock.

Q. I have calculated my zakaat. Now do I have to pay it all in one lump sum or am I allowed to pay off the zakaat in instalments?
A. Zakaat may be payed out in small amounts. It is not necessary to pay all at one time in a lump sum.

Q. A lady who was in the state of haidh (menstruation) left with her husband for Umrah. However, when entering Makka she did not enter into ihram (thinking that she could not do so due to her impure state). A few days after her entry into Makka she became paak (clean). She had a bath, then went to Tan’eem (the place from where people perform the small umrah) and entered into Ihram from there. She made her niyyah, etc., and completed her Umrah. Was this valid?
A. The Umrah was valid, but she has to pay in one DUM (a goat or sheep) because she entered Makka without Ihraam. Anyone going into Makka for Hajj or Umrah must put on Ihraam before crossing the Mieq~t, failing to which a sacrifice (Dum) becomes wajib. The dum must be done in the haram of Makka and its meat distributed there as well. The dum may be executed by someone else on her behalf with her permission, and there is no specific time when it has to be done. It remains obligatory for a lifetime until discharged.