Religious Q & A ( Fatwa )

I believe that neither Kevin Rudd nor John Howard can be the right prime Minister for Australia. Also I don't want to commit sin by participating in the election and support those who are against Islam by my vote. What should I do? Is it Haram to vote in the upcomming Australian Federal election? I know it's compulsory to vote but I don't care if I have to pay a fine. My religion is more important than the law.

In such circumstances it is better to participate in the election, between "bad" and "worse" we must choose the bad one to stop the worse. It is not Haram to participate in this election when you do with such an intention.

Some Islamic jurists say that smoking cigarette is not forbidden (haraam) but some others believe it is haraam. I think the jurists have different opinions on this. What is your opinion about smoking?

It is Haram for a non smoker to start smoking cigarette. The smokers are obliged to try hard to quit.

A Christian girl loves to marry my Muslim friend. She is like most of Christians who believe Jesus is the son of God. My friend wants to know whether or not he can marry this Christian girl?

The people who say that Jesus (peace be upon him) is "God" or "son of God" or they call God "Father" are Mushriks, not Christians. We are not allowed to call them "Christian".

Christians are the people who believe in God and believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) as the messenger of God and believe in the original holy Bible and believe in all the messengers and the prophets (peace be upon them) of God who have been before Jesus (peace be upon him) together with their holy books, but among all prophets they follow only the Shariah law of Jesus.

The marriage with Mushrik is religiously false and can't be in order. It is Haram to sexually touch the Mushrik partner even after marriage.

If Mushriks attack Muslims but they are not strong enough to defend themselves, are we responsible to defend those Muslims? What if they are living in different country?

When a Muslim is attacked unjustly whether by a Mushrik or by a Muslim, all Muslims around the world that are able for the defence are obliged to defend the oppressed Muslim as long as it is needed. .If some Muslims have already started to defend and they are good enough for the defence, there won't be any obligation for the rest of Muslims anymore. If the attack is a physical attack and a Muslim for a justified reason is unable to defend physically including financially then must defend verbally or by writing. If a Muslim for a justified reason is unable to defend by word then as long as prays for the oppressed and loves that Muslim, it is sufficient. So the defence must be first by act, if it is not possible then by word and if that is not possible either then by heart.

Among these five important things which one is more important? 1.Praying 2. Zakat 3. Fasting 4. Hajj 5. Defence.

The defence has the priority and is more important than many other obligations like Salaat (prayer), fasting, Hajj etc. So when you are praying or during Hajj or while fasting if the life of a human being is in danger you must cancel and break it and leave that prayer or Hajj etc unfinished and immediately start to defend if your action is needed for saving that life and if you are able to defend.But if a Muslim can do both the defence and the other obligation at the same time, must not cancel the other one, for example if you can defend while fasting, it is haram to break it for the excuse of the defence.

Would you please give me an example for " Salaat and fasting which are Haram"?

While praying if you see a person is attacked unjustly and you are able to save a life but you dont cancel your prayer and still keep praying. Such a Salaat is Haram.

While you are sick and aware that fasting is harmful for you, but still you keep fasting. Such a fasting is Haram.

I am an American Muslim born in a Shi at family. I've read verse 32 Chapter 30 from the Koran mentioned in your letter November 14 to the Prime Minister of Australia. It's interesting. You believe that "according the order of Allah we are not allowed to call any name on our religion but Islam, and any name on ourselves but Muslims". When people ask my father about his religion, he sometimes answers "Muslim" and sometimes says: "Shi at". Is this a problem? Can I mention "Shi at"?

You are not allowed to call yourself or your religion "Shiah". We are obligated to mention only "Muslim" or "Islam".

I 'm Australian citizen and alhamdulillah a very successful businessman but for defence I can't go overseas to save a life but I am able to help them financially to defend. Is the financial help for defence Mustahab (recommended) or Waajib (obligated) ? How many percents of my properties? What if the attack is not a physical attack?

The financial help for the defence is obligated however you must not spend too much to face problem later in your own life or business. A reasonable amount that feel you have done your duty for defending and saving other lives is sufficient. If the unjust attack is not a physical attack for example if someone has written something or has given a speech against Islam, the physical defence is not obligated, you must defend by words. Being silent towards any types of attacks is Haram and is one of the great sins unless there is a justified reason and there is no choice but being silent.

Can I pay you money for the defence? Do you collect it?

No. We do not accept it. You better to send them directly.

Isn't it Haram for a Muslim to say Merry Christmas?

Any kind of respect for the birth, death and other occasions of all phrophets and messengers (peace be upon them) of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta aalaa) are recommemned and rewarded. To congratulate or celebrate the birthday of any prophet not only is not Haram but also it is recommended and rewarded however those Muslims who are living in the non Muslim countries must not celebrate or congratulate for birth of other prophets (peace be upon them) more than what they do for prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). Muslims must not be under influence of the western culture and must not pay attention to prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) less than other prophets (peace be upon them).

I was disappointed to read that Sheikh Haron approves of celebrating birthdays, even that of our own beloved prophets (SAWA) let alone that of Isa's (AS), which is a bidah and , therefore, something forbidden.

Celebrating birthdays doesn't necessarily mean to be a western style like blowing out the candle, cut the cake, dance etc. Islamic method of celebrating is to express the respect or pray by words or actions. Example for words : to say: "Peace be upon him/you on his/your birthday" or saying : " Happy birthday". Example for actions: inviting people to feed them or to do any Halal action to make them happy. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta aalaa) in the Holy Quran has taught us how to celebrate the birthday of his prophets (peace be upon them) by pray and respectful words, also how to respect the prophets (peace be upon them) and pray for them on other occasions like death day. please see the method of Allah (SWT) for telling his prophets "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" in the Holy Quran, chapter 19, verses 15 and 33.

Is terrorism Haram ? Is Islam against terrorism?

Terrorism is Haram and Islam is against terrorism but the definitation of terrorism in Islam is different with the definition of terrorism made by some governments and people. They admited and mentioned this fact that no one definition of terrorism had gained universal acceptance. There is no single, universally accepted definition of terrorism. Islam has its own difinition of terrorism which is the most perfect and the only correct one. Islam's point of view on "definition of terrorism" Insha Allah (God willing) will be on page "Articles" when the Prime Minister Mr. Kevin Rudd sends us the reply of the letter dated 14 November 2007 which has been sent to Mr. John Howard.

Considering today's conditions of Pakistan, what is the religious duty of Pakistani Muslims? Do you support freedom fighters in Pakistan? What is your opinion about President Parvez Musharraf?

It is an obligation on all Muslims, particularly those who are in Pakistan, to defend through any legitimated way of Islam as long as the oppressors are ruling in Pakistan. Any damage on innocent people or their properties must be avoided. You have mentioned the title "President" for Parvez Musharraf. We are responsible for the words we use. You must not use the title "President" for the dictator who was not elected by Pakistani people and came to power by a military coup d'etat and twice suspended the constitution of Pakistan. [18 Dhul-Hijjah 1428 H. , 28 December 2007]

Can Australian Muslims carry the national flag of Australia? Is it Haram to hold or raise Australian flag?

The land of Australia, like other countries' land, belongs to Allah (SWT), it doesn't belong to us. To carry, hold or raise the flag of this land not only is not Haram but also it is recommended. Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran (Chapter 24, Verse 55) has promised Muslims that they would be the rulers in the Earth. According this verse of the Holy Quran, we, Muslims, will capture the Earth including Australia. Insha Allah Ta aalaa, we will be the majority of Australia one day. Australian Muslims should practice and be prepared for such a day which might be soon Insha Allah (SWT). Australian Muslims should try to carry and raise the Australian flag much more but at the same time they must always remind people about the promise of Allah (SWT) that Muslims will take over Australia. (Sadaqa Allah al Adhim).

Can Muslims promote Multiculturalism in Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc.?

Multiculturalism advocates a nation that extends equitable status to distinct different religious and cultural groups. Multiculturalism doesn't predominate a specific culture and religion. Islam predominates one specific religion and culture which is Islamic culture. The philosophy of Multiculturalism as part of the pragmatism started at the end of the 19th century in UK and USA. The idea of plural society is against "Ummah Wahidah" in Islam. Allah (SWT) advocates only one religion and culture: the Islamic culture that was brought us by prophets from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them). Muslims must promote "Muslimculturalism" instead of "Multiculturalism". Insha Allah one day in the near future, Muslims in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA etc. will face Monoculturalism and that will be the Islamic culture. We believe that replacing "Muslimculturalism" instead of "Multiculturalism" will bring a better future for our beloved country.