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Name
Musa
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Asalaamu Alaikum. It becomes very hard to not become bored with your life when you live in a non-islamic society. Many of my non-muslim friends will go out and drink and fornicate. What advice do you have for a practical american teenager to avoid these things, but yet maintain his identity as a teenager? Another question I have is what advice do you have for youth who are seeking a bride. Salaam.
Answer
he first issue Muslims in non-Muslim countries are dealing with in terms of friends and peers is who we choose as friends. Right away when you say that you have friends that like to go out and fornicate, the first alarm that goes off for me is why are we choosing friends that are involved in these kinds of activities?
We all know the ahadith of the Prophet (SAW) about choosing friends and surrounding ourselves with pious people. Well the question here is directly dealing with that issue. We must consider very seriously the people with whom we surround ourselves.
Of course, in non-Muslim countries that is not always a luxury, but we must make a sincere effort to do it. That is why the community is so important in such places. Furthermore, even if we are in situations where we cannot surround ourselves with Muslims who do not do such things, we can at least make an effort to find non-Muslims who do not engage in those types of activities.
Name
--
-
Profession
Question
Salam,
I am a teenager, a confused one! Firstly, my faith is weakining day by day! i read the Holy Quran with translation in order to get closer to Allah and end up wondering the authenticity of the Holy Book! i used to be very devoted but now, i don't know what i have become. i don't even feel like praying to Allah Almighty for help! there was a time, when i was very close to Allah and i loved Him more than ever. i used to learn about Islam more every day. i acted on every command of God but now, when i hear or read some of His commands which i don't find easy to accept, i grow angry. when i hear His praises, i don't feel like praising Him, and something inside of me laughs! i have no idea what i have become. is it possible for u to give me your personal email so i could detail out my long list of related problems? pls pls i would be very grateful!
Answer
Find a teacher or a knowledgeable person to guide you. You cannot do it through books alone... We all need the guidance of someone with more knowledge and experience than us..
Please ask the moderator about my email..
Name
jamal uddin
- United States
Profession
Question
Brother my native country is Bangladesh. Their has been a lot of crime. The Bangladeshi government is always fighting against crime. I want to know if any Bengali groups have declared jihad against them. Is it going to be valid. Because those bad people are Muslim.
Answer
I'm sorry brother, but I don't think that question is within my area of expertise.. I really don't know... sorry...
Actually, though, that is the kind of jihad that we should be considering as Muslims. Jihad against crime, social ills, domestic violence, etc., especially those within our own community...
Name
Mohammad Sultan
- Bahrain
Profession
chef
Question
"What is being done by the americans and their coalition Partners in the guise of doing good to Iraqis is destruction of the country and if all the Islamic leadership knows that then why don't they make any efforts to stop. Or else if they feel it is the right thing done: then why don't they educate the muslim youth that what is being done is right. This sitting on the fence to drop to whichever side is convenient is what is disillusioning the Muslim youth.
Answer
I think that's a great point questioner. It points to the bigger issue of how confused young people are as a result of what they are being taught. We have to understand that most of the leaders in the world today have agendas and serving and doing what is best for young people is obviously not one of them.
I think if they do believe that what is being done is right, then they fear
a backlash... thanks
Name
Ms. Ansari
- Pakistan
Profession
Teaching
Question
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatahu.
Al-hamdu-Lillah,I have studied Qur`an and want to help the youth especially in my area - as it really frustrates me when I see them wasting their time in useless activities. It seems like they don't know where they are going or what they are doing.What is the most effective way to make them aware of their responsibilities as Muslim when there is very little chance of getting any help from their homes?
Jazak Allah ul khayrun.
Answer
Regular contact with them... whether it be in an after-school program, teaching them, sports, whatever it is you have to develop a rapport and relationship with them first and foremost is what counts. Only then can we hope to influence them. I am glad to hear that you are taking an interest in them... as for their homes, that is a tough one and it depends a lot on your country, location, community, etc.. The most important influence for me in coming into Islam, and learning it as a way of life was the fact that my teacher opened his home to me and let me live it and experience it first hand.
Relationships are key, especially when today, many adults are too busy for young people....
Name
Usama
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu `alaykum.
I'm a teenager, please help me. I have had some male atractions, a haram thing, and I know... It's hard to me think that sometimes males atract me, and not girls... For example, it's difficult to me to have erection with a girl... and to too much with a boy. Please help, because I want to be normal... I'm so stupid... I hate me... I want to be a normal guy...
Answer
Al-hamdu-Lillah that you desire to be attracted to the opposite sex... that is an incredibly difficult issue and I have never dealt with it before with other young people.
The only thing I can say is first recognize that this is a huge test for you from Allah. I would also suggest of course really turning to Allah for help, make constant du'aa (supplications) like salat-ul hajat, etc. If you know in your fitra (original soul) that attraction to males is wrong, then you have to make an all-out effort to abide by the shari'ah (Islamic Law). Reflect on the Qur'an and the stories of Lut. The only way out of such a thing is with Allah's help which will only come through obedience, reliance and trust in Him... May Allah help you and guide you....
Name
Shazia
-
Profession
Student
Question
Assalmu alaykum.
I am student who is suffering from panic attacks. I have exams in a couple of months and I am under alot of pressure and am just stopping myself from working. I know it is wrong in islam too feel despair but I unfortunately feel that the depression I have felt recently is due to me not practising my faith. I have been on the wrong path for a while and I am ashamed to say I have not been praying.I know calamities are a test but I feel I am failing. I met a suitable partner 2 years ago and although we intend to marry he will not do the nikkah yet as his family does not know yet and we are both still studying and so I am continuously sinning as we are unlawfully still seeing each other and I feel I depend on him too much. I feel like a hypocrite to ask for help from Allah (SWT),but all I want is to be on the right path and to practice my
deen. (religious life transaction).
Answer
I think you answered your own question... you are clearly not at peace with your situation and your fitra (pure soul) is telling you that you need Allah! We cannot expect any help if we are not even fulfilling the basic requirements of the deen...
It might be time to give the signficant other an ultimatum on marriage. You need to return to prayer and return to practicing your faith. It is clear to me from you message that you know yourself what you need to do... you just have to trust Allah and do it...
May Allah guide you... thank you....
Name
Ahmed Dool
- United Kingdom
Profession
Business development manager
Question
As-salamu, dear sir, I am 20 and do consider my self as an adult but think that this is the right session for my question
I grew-up in Holland and have adopted that environment but with respect of my religion, meaning I have not been engaged with major sin such as drink alcohol, eating pork etc.
My question is, I work full time and have wonderful colleagues who respect me and my religion but the thing is for example when we have something to celebrate we go as company to dinner or to the café shop/bar and every body is drinking alcohol and I have soft drinks.
Although I am not drinking I feel like I am committing sin by being in a bar. On the other side I don’t want to come over as not a team player or someone who is not happy or doesn’t like his colleagues.
Please explain the difference between being in a restaurant where your colleagues are drink and bar from Islam prospective.
Really appreciate your response
Shukran
Ahmed
Answer
I am really sorry, Shukran, but this is a fiqh-related question, quite an important and in-depth one too... please submit your question to Live Fatwa or Ask the Scholar.
Name
akil
- Canada
Profession
engineer
Question
Excuse me for my ignorance for my question. Many people have told me that Palestinians must continue fighting until ALL Israelis are out of Palestine. If Israeli shared the counry equally would that not be exceptable instead of continuing the bloodshed until THE END OF TIME is they've told me.
Answer
Excuse me for my ignorance for my answer -- yeah, what you say makes sense.. although personally I don't know why - if it's true - that Palestinians say that they must fight until all Israelis are out of Palestine...
It goes against the fact that Allah says in the Qur'an that they will be their until the end of time (surat-ul`Isra, 104)... doesn't it seem a little rediculous to be fighting against the word of Allah?
Name
Nadya
- Pakistan
Profession
housewife
Question
I work in the medical field and I have to type a lot of words related to Christianity. For example sometimes in documents I have to put addresses of street and hospitals and their names may be Saint Peters, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis or St. Francis etc. According to Christianity, Saint is "... a person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth". I would really appreciate it if you would tell me if such words can be typed in documents or used verbally. Thank you very much.
Answer
I am not an Islamic scholar and not really the person to be asking this, but I don't think there is anything in the shari'ah against typing such words for your job... just because you type or say them doesn't mean you believe in them or worship them. Please submit your question to Live Fatwa or Ask the Scholar.
Name
sy
-
Profession
Question
I am not married. Can I talk about sex with a girl on the internet?
Answer
It is quite obvious that this should be avoided... all forms of flirtation lead to the same end.
Name
Rafael Alejandro
- Chile
Profession
Student
Question
I am a Chilean convert living in GENEVA, Switzerland. I find the community here very loving and caring and most of all accepting and interested in my unusual conversion coming from a country with no knowledge of Islam. My father being a diplomat however, I am probably going to have to move to another country soon. Either Chile or Miami. In Miami I know there is an Islamic Center right by the University. I would probably attend so I have no worries there, but how can I allow my knowledge and love of Islam grow in Chile, where Islam is simply unknown? Should I take this on as a more solitary process or should I seek out communities to grow in Islam with?
Gracias.
Answer
Al-hamdu-Lillah on your conversion...
You know I sort of experienced that when I converted in the U.S. and then moved to Malaysia. There is actually a lot of truth in what you are feeling apprehension, but you will be surprised to find the obstacles are different from what you expected and so are the means of support. Take each day as it comes and do not be expect of others more than they are capable of.
Name
Sa'd
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum,
Living in a non-Muslim society, I see many people who live for their next material gain, e.g. for more money, that new car, etc. And although I don't agree with this, I find it hard to understand what I, as a Muslim teenager, am living for. What is my goal? What call am I answering? I don't want to think that I'm living just to be greedy, in hope of a reward, i.e. paradise. I want to live and act truthfully because of something higher, something better than that need to gain more, or out of fear of punishment. Is there only one path of truth? What is Islam calling me to??
Wa 'alaykum As-salam
Answer
Allah!
Islam is calling you to Allah! Allah is Absolute Truth... He is the one from which we came and the one to which we will return. "Verily me prayer, my charity, my life and my death are all for Allah, the lord of all the worlds." In striving to achieve that closeness to Allah, we climb toward reaching our potential as human beings - the highest of all creations...
Striving to be close to Allah means striving for self-perfection and fulfillment of why we were created - our purpose... fear can be thought of also as fear of losing Allah's love, losing his protection and losing closeness to Him...
Name
muslimah
-
Profession
doctor(medical)
Question
As-salamu alaykum.
The world today has become a very difficult one for the muslims who try to maintain an equal balance between their academic knowledge/profession and their religion.Although Islam is the only way of living,we find that practising it amongst those who're by name muslims but by work follow the non-Muslims is too much for the practising ones in every footstep of life.If a non-Muslim says anything bad to you,you can fight but when we're maltreated by fellow muslims,how can we protest.This is a common problem in some so-called muslim countries where practising Muslim youths are the victims.Please give your opinion and advice on this matter...How can we overcome such situations..
Ma'assalam
Answer
First of all, I would not suggest fighting anyone who says something bad to you no matter who they are. Secondly, I don't think that judging our fellow brothers and sisters is the way to go. Maybe we should focus more on nasihah, on helping them and educating them. If we set up the world as an us vs. them dualism, then we will find ourselves no longer a community of goodness and mercy, but one that only judges others and looks down on them.
The best route is always to respond with that which is better and people will notice... That is a critical element of sunnah that we have lost I feel, and that we must regain. People respond to positive action and works, which is why teaching and leading by example is usually the best way.
Name
SHAHNAWAZ
-
Profession
Question
What the foods that we as Muslims should eat to make our bodies becom strong?
Answer
First off, heat food that is of course lawful... secondly, food that is wholesome ..... there is a great book called Medicine of the Prophet, I think, written by the scholar ibn al Qayyum that discusses a lot on Prophetic dietary guidelines, foods, etc..there are a lot of wholesome foods... one thing we must not do is eat too much, which tends to be a problem where I live in Malaysia among Muslims... remember, the best formula (from the sunnah) is one-third food, one-third water, and one-third air...
thanks...
Name
Saifudeen
- India
Profession
Graduate
Question
What Islam says about Masturbastion?
Answer
I follow Shafie madzab and there may be slight differences in opinion among the four, but for the most part I think they concur that it is haram...
The early Muslims used to say, "The one who weds his hand is accursed." (Fath al-Qadir)
According to the Hanafi madzhab, Masturbation is only allowed in the very rare situation where:
* if the person did not do this, they genuinely fear that they would fall into actual zina (i.e. unlawful sexual intercourse), because of their uncontrollable desire, and
* they are unable to marry, and
* have taken all reasonable means to lessen their passion (such as fasting, lowering ttakes the lesser of the two harms to avoid the greater one."
However, when there are third options, it remains impermissible to take the lesser harm, such as masturbation. [derived from: Ibn Abidin's Hashiya, al-Lakhnawi's Naf` al-Mufti wa'l Sa'il, and al-Nahlawi's Durar al-Mubaha, Kamal ibn al-Humam's Fath al-Qadir] Answered by Sidi Faraz Rabbani of the Hanafi fiqh list.
