Usery

Q1: What is your definition of Interest or as the Qur`an calls it, Riba? Does this term apply to all forms of profit, which are given/taken including banks and other institutions, or is there merely given as a “cost of living increase” and “inflation”? Can the Qur`anic definition of Riba be applied today to the Western banking structure?
A1:All of the said cases are considered "Riba" but taking interest from non-Muslim banks is permissible.
Q2: What is the ruling on depositing money in non-Muslim banks and taking the return (what some term Interest) from them?
A2: There is no Ishkaal (problem) in it.
Q3: Is it permissible to “shop around” for the bank or account, which offers us the best return rate on our money (Interest)?
A3: It is permissible to "shop around" for non-Muslim banks.
Q4: What is your opinion on taking interest from banks and financial institutions and also paying them interest where necessary (when we need to take a loan for a house, car or another necessity)?
A4: Taking interest from non-Muslim banks is allowed. If a Muslim intends to get a loan from such banks, it is necessary that he should do so with the intention that it is a transaction without return, even if he knows that he will end up paying the capital as well as the interest. And he should not do so with the intention of getting the loan with the condition of [paying] interest.

Using Copyrighted Software

Q1: What is the ruling on copying computer software, movies, audio CDs and other such things, which bear the wording “All Rights Reserved” or “Copyright”?  Does this rule apply equally to Muslim made products and those made by individuals and or companies which are not Muslim?

A1: Copying is not permissible in all of the aforementioned instances.

Q2: A lot of Islamic books and software have copyrights on them.  What is the Islamic view of copyrights?  If I photocopy a book or duplicate a CD with a copyright am I doing a sin?

A2: Copying or duplicating a book or software without their owner's permission is not permissible.

Q3: Can I use cracked CD software?

A3: If someone else has cracked the software, you can use it but you are not allowed to copy or burn it into a compact disk.

Q4: Is it obligatory (wajib) or recommended (mustahabb) to observe copyrights?
A4: According to the fatwa of Ayatullah Lankarani, copyright must be observed.
Q5:What is the ruling on copying computer software, movies, audio CDs and other such things, which bear the wording “All Rights Reserved” or “Copyright”? Does this rule apply equally to Muslim made products and those made by individuals and or companies which are not Muslim?
A5: Copying is not allowed in any of the above cases?

Unwanted Pregnancy

Q1: What is the law about aborting an unwanted pregnancy? Is it permissible?
A1: Abortion is not permissible. If a woman is has abortion without a legal excuse, diyah (blood money) becomes obligatory on her.
Q2: If a Muslim woman is raped (out of marriage by a stranger), is she permitted to have an abortion?
A2:  No, she is not permitted except for when it may cause her an insufferable problem. For instance, in the case that she might be killed if her relatives come to know about her pregnancy, she is allowed to have abortion.
Q3: What is your ruling on aborting a pregnancy before 4 months into the pregnancy due to major abnormalities or deformities in the child as seen in the medical tests?
A3:  It is not permissible.
Q4: What is your ruling on aborting an “unwanted pregnancy” before 4 months into the pregnancy?
A4: It is not permissible.
Q5: My wife seems to be one or two weeks pregnant and we already have four children.  We don't want any more children. Under what circumstances is an abortion allowed?
A5: Having abortion after the embryo gains life is not permissible under any circumstances. Abortion before the embryo gains life is not permissible except for when mother’s health is at risk or when it leads to an insufferable sickness for her; if so, there would be no objection in having abortion.
Q6: If an innocent girl is raped against her wish, and consequently becomes pregnant, does Islamic law permit her to have an abortion so that she may safeguard her honour and future?
A6: In Islamic law abortion is not permissible, unless the survival of the foetus would seriously threaten the mother’s life. Only when the life of the mother is in danger is abortion permissible.

Unisex Environments

Q1: What is the Islamic opinion to swimming in unisex environments such as the beach, swimming pools, and other areas?
A1: It is not permissible.
Q2: What is the fatwa about co-education? Is co-education permissible?
A2: If there is an evil in co-education, it is not allowed and Islam does not permit it. Normally, there is sin in co-education environments.