Hijab

Q1: What are the rules of "Hijab" for men?
A1:It is obligatory for a man to cover her private parts or the genital area. It is also necessary for him as a measure of precaution to cover the part between his navel and knees. If wearing inappropriate clothes is considered publicly offensive or degrading for him, he should avoid doing so.
Q2: What are the decrees of Ayatullah Lankarani concerning the dress code of Muslim women?
A2: The principle of ‘ Hijab’, Islamic covering, is one of the certainties and indisputable things in Islam, which has been ordained in the Holy Qur’an. Women must cover their entire body and their hair, with the exception of the hands and face, in the presence of strangers [non-mahrams]. It is not permitted for women to wear provocative clothing in the presence of strangers. You can wear a long dress and scarf, or a chador if you wish.
Q3: Is it obligatory (wajib) for a woman to cover the upper part of the feet? What if she does not cover it?
A3: A woman must cover her feet, fully, in the presence of strangers (non-mahram). If she does not do so she has committed a sin.
Q4: Following the tragedy on September 11th, 2001, Muslims in America and Europe have subsequently become the targets of attack and even murder. It is probable that if Muslims did not look obviously like Muslims, the chance of being recognised and attacked for being Muslim would be considerably reduced. In these circumstances is it permissible for Muslims living in the West to shave off their beards and take off their scarves (hijab) in order to practice dissimulation (taqiyyah)?
A4: It is obligatory on all Muslims to uphold their Islamic appearance, and hijab - the correct form of covering - is one of the obligatory acts of the religion of Islam. If it is possible to keep the beard and hijab then you should do so, however if it is not then at least try to practise what suffices, but do not exceed this. As soon as the situation improves you must go back to observing the Islamic viewpoint on the matter, and keep your Islamic appearance.
Q5: Here men and women go together in a bus and a metro. And there are sometiems crowd there. When Hijabi women go to work or university, sometimes she cannot protect herself to touch a na-mahram. Is a woman allowed to go out in this case or should she stay at home?
A5: If going out of home has any such haram implications like touching a non-mahram, she should not go. If possible, she must use another means of transportation so as to avoid physical contact with non-mahram men.
Q6: Is only covering the head with scarf is full hijab? Or do we have to cover the whole body? Is wearing normal clothes like pant shirt with scarf a complete hijab in your view? Can you elaborate on complete Hijab which we can keep in western countries? Awaiting your reply eagerly. I am residing in Canada and women here have different views about hijab: Example: some thing covering of head and hair is hijab, while others cover the whole body with a coat or burqa (Abaa) What is your opinion about it. I normally wear coat with scarf to keep hijab.
A6: From the point of view of Islamic Jurisprudence, the body of a woman with the exception of her face and hands must be covered. Also the clothes must not be enticing or alluring. However, the specifications of the ideal Hijab differs from place to place. For example, in Iran the best Hijab is the chador and for you the best Hijab is an over-garment and a scarf in such a way that all of your hair and the sides of your face. In the end, the importance you have given to this issue and your religious duty is appreciated. The issue of Hiajb is one that the Quran has placed a lot of importance on.
Q7: What is an obligation of a woman who has attained adulthood, and who wants to follow Sharia rules and wear Hijab (adhere to Islamic dress code) but her parents are not Mumineen, and prevent her from that? Must she adhere to Islamic dress code even if it leads to a conflict between her and her parents?
A7: Hijab is one of the essentials of Islamic jurisprudence which women must observe. About the situation which you mentioned, it is necessary for this girl to speak to her father and mother about the issue and to persuade them with clear and logical discussion. She should try not to come into conflict with them and respect them. If she fails to convince them, she must choose another place for residence. So that she can fully observe (her) religious obligations. She must ask God for help in this respect, and be certain that God will help her.

Halal & Haram Food

Q1: What is halal food?
A1:According to Shi'a jurisprudence, the animals which are slaughtered with Christian standards, lack the required criteria of religious slaughtering and they are considered as dead meat and their consumption is duly prohibited by the explicit text of the Holy Qur'an, in surah (chapter) Anam (The cattle), 121 Ayeh, and other religious orders, not all of which is understandable with our reasoning, but they are required according to the orders the Almighty God and his holy prophets. The most complete form of Allah's orders which has reached us is the Holy religion of Islam. Therefore, if the slaughtering is not done according to the Islamic view, then its consumption is not permissible, because there is no logic above the absolute order of Allah which is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.
Q2: What is your ruling on food prepared by the Ahlul Kitab? Can we eat it, and should we (from an Akhlaaqi point of view) eat their cooking as long as nothing forbidden is in it?
A2: If their food does not contain any haram ingredients like haram meat, fat and intoxicating liquid, it is permissible to eat it.
Q3: Many grocery stores in North America and Europe which are run and owned by non-Muslims sell forbidden products and also are now carrying “halal” meat – both slaughtered by Muslims who are known to be Muslims and to be slaughtered according to Islam and also others which only bear a label of “halal” however we do not know its actual source. What is the rule on buying this meat?
A3: They can use the meat only when they are certain that the meat is halal.
Q4: What is your opinion on Muslims eating in non-Muslim or even Muslim owned and operated restaurants which serve halal food however also serve alcoholic drinks? If the alcohol is not being consumed at our table, does this change the ruling?
A4: If there is no alcoholic drink on your table, there is no problem in eating in these restaurants. Yes, if going to restaurants where alcoholic liquids are served is degrading for a Muslim, it is not permissible to eat in there.
Q5: Gelatine in the West comes from unknown sources, however sometimes we are told it is from a beef source (not pig). In this case, since we know that it is not from an animal slaughtered according to Islamic rites, is it permissible to each such products? Does the gelatine go through a chemical process of change that we would be permitted to eat products made with it?
A5: If it contains haram ingredients or haram meat extracts, it is not not permissible.
Q6: Is it allowed to eat at table where there is haraam meat?
A6: It is better to be avoided.
Q7: Is it allowed to slaughter a halal animal with a machine, when a Muslim starts the machine and all other conditions are observed such as the recitation of Allah's name, and facing the qibla? Is this meat permissible for consumption?
A7: According to the conditions mentioned, it is acceptable, and therefore eating such meat is allowed.

Hajj

Q1: If a person, who has never prayed or fasted in his life, performs Hajj, will Allah (swt) forgive him his sins because of his Hajj?
A1: Allah (swt) may forgive him, but he must make up (qadha) his missed prayers and fasts.
Q2: A man performed Umra and tied the ihram like the Sunnis. Is there any penalty (kaffara)?
A2: If you mean the way of wearing that garb, it is not wrong and has no penalty.
Q3: I'm going to Umra inshaa Allah and I’m asking about something to stop the period or to make it come early.
A3: In this situation you can refer to your doctor and use the medication which is for such situations. If you used it and your period was delayed, you are considered religiously pure and you can perform the rituals.

Horse Race

Q1: Is betting allowed on horse race?
A1: Horse race is permissible even if it involves betting. The property gained through the betting is halal. However, betting is allowed for the racers\contenders only not for the onlookers and owners of the horses.

Hand Practice

Q1: I am badly used to hand practice. I cannot go to sleep unless I gratify myself. There is no way to marry a woman. Please advise me how I can avoid this sin.
A1: It is not permissible and you should avoid masturbation under all circumstances.

Hayz

Q1: I had anal and vaginal sex with my wife when she was in her menses? I have just learnt that it is haram having intercourse during menstrual period? What should I do? Do I have to pay Kaffara (penalty) for the haram act I have done?
A1: There is no Kaffara (penalty) for anal intercourse but if man has vaginal intercourse when she is in her menses, he must pay Kaffara as a measure of obligatory precaution. The amount of Kaffara is explained as under: If the number of Hayz days of a woman is divided into three parts, and in case a man has intercourse with his wife in the first part, in front, then as an obligatory precaution, he must pay 18 Nokhod (3.457 gr) of gold as ransom (Kaffara) to the poor, and if it has occurred in the second part, 9 Nokhod (1.729 gr) and in the third part, 4.5 Nokhod (0.865 gr). For example, if a woman’s Hayz lasts for 6 days and her husband has intercourse with her during the first and second day or night, he should pay 18 Nokhod (3.457 gr) of gold and during the third and fourth day or night, he should pay gold weighing 9 Nokhod (1.729 gr) and for fifth and sixth day and night, he should pay gold weighing 4.5 Nokhod (0.865 gr)
Q2: Is it necessary for a woman to compensate the prayers and fasts which she missed during menses?
A2: A woman must perform the Qaza of the FASTS which she has missed during her menstrual period. However, Qaza of prayers is not obligatory on her.

Holy Names

Q1: We usually receive wedding invitation cards, which have ‘In the Name of Allah’ written on them. What should we do with them, as we are not allowed to throw them in the sea and it is difficult to bury them? Can we give them to the places that gather paper to be recycled?
A1: If you cannot bury them in the ground, you can give them to a recycling company.
Q2: Other than throwing papers with the name of Allah and other personalities in water (which is technically not permissible according to the laws of the West to avoid pollution and other things) what can Muslims do? Are we permitted to recycle these things in government-sponsored programs?
A2: If the papers are not mixed with najis things and throwing them into recycle bin is not considered disrespectful, there is no problem.