Miscellaneous Questions

Q. Can we take a loan from bank to buy a house, keeping the original documents in the bank?

A. It all depends on the terms and conditions of the loan. If it is a usurious loan, then it is forbidden. If it is of the mortgage type, most scholars say that it is permissible. Keeping the documents with the bank means that the bank has a charge on the house as a form of security. This is all right in principle, but also depends on the terms and conditions.

Q. I have had several problems in recent months. What exactly should I read so that my life should run smoothly?

A. We do not have special readings to ease life problems. Life is a test for us all, but the type of test we face is different. We should always persevere and pray to God to ease our problems. Every good action helps, and a prayer after good actions stands a better chance of being answered.

Q. After Fajr prayer we should not sleep, but rather, we should read the Qur’an and glorify God until 7 o’clock. Is this correct?

A. This depends on personal circumstances. There is no requirement to do so, but if one can afford the time, the practice you mention is very good to follow. But if a person’s life is structured differently, he can read the Qur’an and do God’s glorification at other times.

Q. Normally, how long can an expatriate stay away from his wife, if he has problems and cannot go home because of financial difficulties?

A. In normal situations, he should not absent himself from home for more than four months at a time, unless she agrees to a longer period. If she agrees, then it is up to the two of them to decide.

Q. How many surahs do we have to memorize as a minimum?

A. There is no limit. The more the better, but one must learn by heart the Fatihah and a few other surahs in order to read them in prayer.

Q. Should universities in Muslim countries do more to help poor students to receive higher education? Should they offer scholarships for people who cannot afford to pay fees and expenses?

A. Yes, if they can. Governments, charitable funds and other sources should do everything that can be done in this area.

Q. If a person did not pray for many years, but becomes regular in his prayers toward the end of his life. Can his relatives give something like 5 kgs of rice or wheat as compensation for each day in which he did not offer his obligatory prayers?

A. No. This is not acceptable. Prayers cannot be compensated for in any other form. Nor are missed prayers compensated for in fresh prayers either. Suppose a person did not pray for 40 years and when he is 55 he starts praying, how can he compensate for his missed prayers? The only way is repentance, which means genuine regret and a firm resolve not to miss prayer again, and praying for God’s forgiveness. If the conditions of such repentance are fulfilled and the man is genuine, God may accept his repentance.

Q. What about missed fasting in Ramadan?

A. Unlike prayers, fasting is compensated for by fasting one day for each missed day, provided one has missed fasting for a legitimate reason, such as traveling and illness. Compensatory fasting can be offered at any time during the year, except the five days on which fasting is not allowed, which are the day of Eid Al-Fitr and the four days of the Eid of Sacrifice.

Q. What is the minimum amount of meher to give when one is to be married?

A. There is no minimum or maximum.

Whatever the bride agrees is good enough.

Q. What is the exact age of marriage for men and women in Islam?

A. There is no such a thing as a marriage age. The important thing is that one should have attained puberty and can afford marriage.

Q. So far we have seen so many signs of the end of the world and we are still to see more. Could you please mention these?

A. I do not know what signs you are talking about, and what is to come. I cannot predict the future.

Q. I used to cut a small portion of my hair at the end of Umrah. Nowadays I cut my hair in a barber’s shop. Please comment.

A. Both are acceptable. I feel the first one is more in line with what is required.

Q. What is the correct way of taking bath to remove the state of janabah?

A. The correct way is to formulate the right intention of removing the state of ceremonial impurity, or janabah. It is recommended to start with doing the ablution, or wudhu. One should wash his head and all his body, making sure that the water reaches all parts of his body.