Counseling

Question :

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.

In Australia, most members of the Muslim community are purchasing cars and homes through commercial bank loans and mortgages. This is justified in two ways: First, one has no option in a Western country that does not have Islamic banking - and hence you need to borrow to be able to acquire a car and a home. Second, the prohibited interest refers to excessive interest over and above an acceptable rate (usurious rate). Interest at or below the average is acceptable.

Question :

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. 

Does Islam regard the testimony of women as half of a man's just in cases of transactions or in every case? Who are the scholars that maintain the first view? What is the evidence of those scholars saying that her testimony is not accepted in cases of murder and adultery?

Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Answer (Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi) :

Question :

Respected Scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I would like to ask you a question which has been on my mind for very long. I was outside and the time for Prayer came, but the place had no mosque or place to pray. I didn’t have a compass at the time due to forgetfulness. I can tell the direction of the sun but on that day the sky was not clear and I couldn’t see the sun. So I prayed in a car park facing a pillar as the sutrah. Is my Prayer valid? Should I repeat it? Please provide me with an answer.

Question :

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.

Is there any ayah or surah to recite and blow on oneself or on others for protection or for cure?

Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Question :

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I am traveling to Pakistan with my wife. On the way we thought of performing `Umrah and we have booked tickets. However, during our stay at Makkah, my wife expects her period days. Now I am confused about what to do. Please advise me in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah.

Question :

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. This is a question I was just wondering about, if a man has a sex change and later in life he/she wants to become Muslim, is it acceptable? And would he have to reverse the sex change or can he/she just live her life as a woman? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Answer (Sheikh Muhammad NurAbdullah):

Question :

 As salamu 'alaykum,

I am engaged to be married soon. My future husband and his family have said that it is a tradition in their family to give the bride $500 for the mahr (dowry) at the time of nikah (Islamic marriage). Although I am not the type of person to demand a lot from my husband, this amount seems low to me - especially since my future husband has a good job and is reasonably wealthy. I do not know what to do about this, as I don't know the Islamic ruling on the amount of mahr. Should I say something to him and his family, or should I just settle for whatever amount they give me? I would appreciate any advice regarding this issue. Jazakallah, and thank you for all your good work on this website.