Q. A woman who has her jewelry in gold wants to give some of it in charity, but her husband does not approve, saying that jewelry is a form of investment. Can she give, say, a ring or earrings away without telling him? Must she obey him in such a matter?

(Name and address withheld)

A. Indeed she can. In Islam, a woman has full control over her money and property. Neither her husband nor her father can dictate to her how she spends it or what she may do with it. Even in the case of jewelry, which may have been gifted to her by her father or husband, the principle remains the same, because a gift is one form of the transfer of ownership. When a husband gives his wife a bracelet or a necklace, or any other article, it becomes her property, unless he tells her specifically that he is only giving her the right to wear it but he is retaining the right of its ownership. In this case, it remains his property and she does not have the right to dispose of it. Since it is his, it is liable to zakah, while it is not so liable if it is hers.

This woman’s husband says that jewelry is a form of investment. If it is kept as such, then it is zakahable, while if it is part of the woman’s personal articles no zakah is payable on its value.

If a woman gives away some article of jewelry in zakah or charity, she earns reward from God for her action. Her husband cannot stop her. If he objects and she gives it away without his knowledge, she is fully entitled to do so.

Friday Prayers

Q. Could you please explain whether Friday prayer is obligatory, i.e. fardh, or of a lesser status, i.e. wajib? Could you also mention how is Zuhr prayer to be offered on Friday?

Omer Mustafa

A. The term wajib does not carry an agreed specific meaning among scholars. Linguistically speaking, it means something required as a duty. However, some scholars give it a lesser status than fardh, which means obligatory, while others give it the same meaning. Some scholars do not use it at all, preferring the other word that is derived from a root that means “to assign a duty.”

Whatever the case, it is agreed by scholars that Friday prayer is an obligation of the most binding type, or fardh. It is incumbent on every Muslim man who has attained puberty even an hour before it became due.

It is offered in congregation in mosques, and consists of a khutbah, or sermon, and a prayer of two rak’ahs. It replaces the obligatory Zuhr prayer on that day. Only a person who misses Friday prayer should offer Zuhr on that day.

It may be preceded and followed by voluntary, or Sunnah, prayer of two or four rak’ahs each. Some scholars advocate praying Zuhr after it, assuming that the necessary conditions for Friday prayer are not always met in full. There is not much evidence to support this view.

Movement in Prayer

Q. It is noticed that some imams make too many movements in prayer. For example, an imam wearing an Arabian headdress may set it properly every time he stands up after prostration. If he were to wear a turban or a cap, he would not have to set it right. Please comment.

S.A., Taif

A. Too many movements in prayer are contrary to the required serenity, or khusoo’. While such movements do not invalidate the prayer, it is much better to remember that when we pray, we are standing in front of God. When you stand in front of your boss, or a person of authority, you do not make too many unnecessary movements. So, it is better to limit your movements to what is necessary. We cannot suggest that someone who always wears a scarf, or a ghutrah, should change it to something else for prayer. What we can tell him is to be calmer, in accordance with the serenity he should observe. Moreover, you suggested two different head covers. But covering one’s head is not a requirement of prayer. If one prays wearing no head covering, his prayers are perfectly valid. He is not considered to have omitted anything required or recommended.