Amina Inloes

Islam itself does not require certain beliefs about scientific matters, as long as one's scientific beliefs are compatible with the Qur'an.

The Qur'an speaks about the creation of Adam from clay. Many Muslims take that in a literal sense (Allah fashioned Adam from clay the way a person might make a statue).

However, some Muslims understand that verse in a way which is compatible with evolutionary theory, and that Allah used the evolution of species as a means to produce the human being from what was, originally, the earth.

There are some other viewpoints which are somewhat intermediate; for instance, the view that Allah created other homonids through evolution, and then intervened when it came to our forefather Adam to create or change him specifically.

Of course, from a scientific perspective, the theory of evolution as it applies to human beings is also a developing idea and may be revised or replaced in the future.

So, basically, there is no single view on this topic at present, and a Muslim can hold any idea as long as it is compatible with the basic ideas of the Qur'an (for instance, that Allah is the ultimate creator and had some intent behind the creation of Adam), and as long as they are trying to find out what is truest.

It is, religiously, not recommended to keep a dog indoors, but you are allowed to keep one. However, if you have a dog inside, you should be careful to observe the laws of taharah and najasah, especially regarding prayer (salat).

In addition to the previous response, I would add that, from a faith-based perspective, it seems most important to forge an emotional connection with Allah and the Prophet (S), rather than the religion itself. In addition to the prescribed practices, some people find emotional connection through other expressions, such as Islamic art, nasheeds, or literature.

Being a large religion, there are varying ways that Islam is lived, historically and today. It is possible that what is immediately available to you live doesn't work well for you. For instance, I have found that many Sunni Islamic organizations in the United States tend towards a very dry practice of Islam (probably due to the influence of Salafism, as well as due to leaving behind traditions from varying countries and trying to "modernize" the faith), whereas, in many Muslim-majority countries, the practice seems richer. This is just my view. Sometimes, what is available to women in some places differs from what is available to men, and that may also have an effect (especially if women's gatherings are held privately, and one isn't invited).

In any case, some people do well with the more mystically-oriented practices in Islam, some people do better attending intellectual gatherings, some people greatly enjoy the legalistic side, some people like a strong community feeling, some people flourish with activism, and so forth.

Religious leadership is important too - which religious leaders we benefit from tends to be a very personal and individual thing.

Note that I wouldn't consider every group or religious leader that calls themself "Muslim" to be healthy or an authentic representation of what I believe to be the intent of Allah. There are healthy and unhealthy groups in any large religion. So it is always good to keep your eyes open with any religious group and use your good judgment.

However, with that in mind, you could explore what is available to find what best suits you and what you feel to be true and maybe you will find something that "clicks".

Sometimes, when we are faced with a difficult decision, there really isn't one choice that is good (although there might be one choice that is less bad than the other).

So, it can be good just to make a decision and stick with it, and have faith that things will work out for the best, and as they are meant to.

If you genuinely feel you made a wrong decision, it is good to talk to someone trustworthy and get their view and see if you should do anything different, but it is better not to keep going over it again and again, as that can feed anxiety. Sometimes part of life is just making a decision and moving on.

If it is possible to change your mind, you can do that, but it is better just to decide once and for all and then set the issue to rest. Going back and forth on a decision can be hurtful to yourself and also to other people involved, such as in family matters, because it keeps them in limbo and from moving on.

Although anxiety is a normal response to difficult situations, it doesn't help yourself or the situation. There are various medical and non-medical ways to try to help with anxiety (which you can read online about). So it is good to try to address that too.

I am not aware of any narrations on this matter, although it is something you could deduce through historical records and calendrical calculations (and others have done this in the past - you can search online for the results).

However, there is a narration between Imam al-Sadiq (A) and an astrologer in which Imam al-Sadiq (A) associates Imam 'Ali and the awsiya' with Saturn. (This is not a zodiacal sign, obviously, but is thematically related.) You can read it here (part 12, number 69): https://www.al-islam.org/al-khisal-numeric-classification-traditions-cha...

Two verses which end with the letter ش are:

لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ

وَتَكُونُ الْجِبَالُ كَالْعِهْنِ الْمَنْفُوشِ

(106:1 and 101:5)

Often, the production of hair oil adjusts naturally over a few months to a change in hair routine. So, possibly, your hair will adjust by itself.

In the meantime, I suggest using the minimum water and doing the minimum necessary amount of washing for wudu (rather than anything extra/mustahhab).

This will vary between schools of thought. For instance, the 4 Sunni schools of thought require wiping the entire head (but have some minor differences regarding wudu between each other). The Twelver Shi'i school of thought requires wiping a quarter of the head with 1-3 fingers by using the remaining water from wudu (not taking extra water). 

Historically, most people did not wash their hair daily, and certainly did not have access to commercially produced shampoos, so, in and of itself, performing wudu regularly does not usually require people to wash their hair more frequently (although individual circumstances vary).

This is venturing outside the scope of responses offered here, but you could look into advice online by people starting the "no shampoo (no 'poo)" routine in reducing oiliness. Possibly dry shampoo might be helpful. Of course you have to decide what is best for yourself, your health, and your circumstances.

Lastly... doing wudu doesn't usually make people's hair oily. It is possible that this is happening for yourself, since everyone is different. However, if you haven't already, you could look into other causes, such as hormones, stress, diet, or an underlying health condition. If you have recently converted to Islam, this could be an underlying stressor, if it has come with shifts in your life or challenges.

Best wishes!

Qamar dar Aqrab refers to the moon being in the zodiacal sign of Scorpio which happens 2-3 days per month (in that the moon circulates through all the zodiacal signs in one lunar month) and can be determined via astronomical software or eyeballs.

Historically, in a number of cultures, this has been considered an unfavourable time, which is probably why it appears in our heritage. There are some narrations on not marrying or starting a journey at this time, but they are not considered strong.

Some people choose to avoid scheduling marriages at this time, and that is fine. It is also fine not to pay attention to it at all. People vary in their belief in these things.

However, it is good not to get too caught up in these things, e.g. if someone gets married at this time, it doesn't mean that it will be a disaster. Sometimes if we feel that something has a bad "omen", it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because then we subconsciously do things to make it go badly, and that isn't healthy at all! 

If something happens by accident (for instance, conception), there is no need to worry. Allah knows best what He creates and when, and He has his wisdom for it, especially when it comes to bringing life into this world, which is in His hands.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to give sadaqa a few times if you are concerned, but it isn't necessary. Don't overburden yourself with it by making it a requirement!

In general, most of the acts of hajj are similar for men and women, apart from rulings related to women's issues (which I'm sure you're familiar with) and a few requirements of the hajj that are more lenient for women, which is particularly helpful these days because of the crowding.

However, beyond that, I think some things that might pertain to women are, firstly, what to wear. Although the clothing requirements are less strict for women, may women wear an all-white garment; if possible, I would suggest a thin and natural fabric (although not see-through) in the warmer months, especially if you are coming from a cooler climate. Polyester gets quite hot very quickly. If you follow the Twelver Shi'i school of thought, you should also avoid non-halal-leather shoes due to concerns about najasa. 

Second, one unfortunate reality is that not everyone who is present in Mecca during the hajj time is there for pious reasons and is of good character, and sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, or safety threats are known to happen. So, it is good to use the same precautions that one might use in travelling in any other new place (for instance, avoiding going places alone unless it seems safe).

Third, overall, people are difficult, and other women are no exception. I have found that the companionship one has during a religious journey often greatly affects the journey. Some people are absolutely lovely and greatly enhance the experiences as models of good ethics and faith. However, not everyone who actually attends hajj is there with a mindset that they are primarily making a journey to Allah. And even those who do have that thought may still suffer from everyday human failings. The pressures of the hajj journey can bring out the worst in people.

This is true for both men and women. However, since women often deal with women, we can talk about women here. I have noticed that some women who have had very restricted lives, who are unused to cultures other than their own, and/or who are used to having the same everyday habits (such as mealtimes) sometimes have a hard time with the hajj and take this out on others. (By this, I am not referring to women from villages, who also tend to be lovely.) Among women, this is sometimes expressed in the types of behavior that is stereotypically associated with women, such as being gossipy, arguing, making judgmental/hurtful comments about clothing or other habits different from their own cultural expectations, etc. This is apart from the fact that many people perform hajj at an older age, and, these days, many people at an older age suffer from health conditions such as blood sugar irregularities which can also give them a shorter fuse.

So if that ends up being the case, it is good to try to stay above that and try to stay out of it, and to be patient and forgiving - it is probably meant to be part of the process.

If you are travelling with people who are meaningful to you, such as extended family or in-laws, on the one hand this can provide support and be a nice shared experience, but sometimes interpersonal dynamics can take center stage and distract from focusing on Allah, so it is good to try to keep a balance and not be too focused on other people around, even if hajj is a communal experience. 

Fourth, there is often a lot of time spent shopping for souvenirs. Sometimes, women are tasked with doing this. I understand the desire (or pressure) to bring back souvenirs, and shopping can also be an interesting way to get to know a new place and meet people in another environment, and of course it benefits shopkeepers. Sometimes it is also an opportunity to buy items hard to find back home such as abayas. So it is fine to do what is necessary, but I think it is good to try to spend as little time as possible on this to focus more on the spiritual, historical, or communal aspects of the hajj, and, if buying souvenirs, to stick to things which are spiritually meaningful and straightforward (such as dates from Medina, prayer rugs, and so forth) and avoid mass-produced items which are readily available in many countries. 

Fifth, some people today (men and women) treat the hajj as a sort of holiday, especially if they have a nice hotel and meal service. I have heard some women who do a lot of housework describe it as a holiday from things like cooking and cleaning, and while I am sympathetic to that, I think it is better to avoid thinking of the hajj as a holiday and rather focus on the journey to Allah. Of course it is a blessing to have nice accommodations or provisions, if one has them, and it is helpful to have time off from housework to focus on prayer and duas. These things can make the journey physically easier, if one has them; of course, it is also good to appreciate that many pilgrims do not have them and are in rougher conditions.  (Human nature being what it is, I am not sure that everyone always thinks about these things.) This is just my view of course, and I do not want to come across as judgmental to other people's circumstances. 

Anyway, here is a guidebook for women which might be of interest and which contains details about some of the technicalities: https://www.al-islam.org/guidebook-women-rites-hajj-razia-batool-najafi

May your journey be very blessed!

Within the Sunni hadith collections, there is a narration condemning women who have hair that looks like a camel hump. So, some Sunni Muslims today interpret this to mean that one should not wear a big scrunchie.

Whether or not one acts on that hadith and whether one interprets it to mean this hijab-style, is a personal decision. Apart from that, hijab-style is also a personal decision.

This is a good question.

Apart from obvious things pertaining to content (for instance, avoiding gratuitous profanity or explicitness; falsities; poor ethics such as promoting racism or theft; or slander), it is good to consider one's intention in creating the piece, since the intention will be transmitted through the piece. Of course, sometimes one's intention is entirely practical (such as doing a paid job), or something may seem to have little to no ethical impact, but still it is good to have a sound intention.

It is also good to consider how the piece will impact the world. 

Gaming introduces some specific ethical considerations. While I am not against computer/video games (and in fact find the link between games and religion/spirituality to be quite intriguing), from an ethical perspective, it has to be admitted that games are often intentionally designed to be addictive. Furthermore, there may be impacts, particularly on children, with respect to the attention span, or due to exposure to excessive violence and hormonal/chemical reactions to that. On the other hand, some games are quite useful for things such as learning. So if you want to take ethics into consideration when designing computer/video games, it is worth considering current research and concerns about these things; overall, the effect of digital technology on the brain is still unclear. 

When producing content for social media which promotes a person or product, there is also the ethical consideration (from an Islamic viewpoint) that one should not feed the ego (nafs), and that it is poor ethics to engage in self-glorification or self-promotion (except in specific circumstances, like if one is applying for a job and it is necessary). So one has to balance current social requirements (i.e. living in a culture of "likes" in which many people commodify their image online) with a classical sense of Islamic ethics and spirituality. This isn't an easy yes-or-no question but rather goes under the overall category of intention, keeping in mind that people can easily become confused about their intention and, for instance, post a lot of selfies "for the sake of Allah" because they are involved in a religious cause, whereas it is really just feeding the ego/self. 

Some people consider the creation of art or writing to involve some sort of spiritual inspiration. This inspiration could be from Allah, aspects of the higher world promoting truth from Allah, or elsewhere. If one feels the inspiration is unhealthy (for instance, Iblis), one could take that into consideration. Inshallah this will not be the case with what you create, but possibly it relates to some things that have come into popular culture (such as some television shows) which have had (in my view) socially destructive messages. But of course is not good to get too worried about this as it may cause needless anxiety. I am just mentioning it because it is sometimes discussed among artists.

In any case, there is definitely a need for Muslims to be at the forefront of creating media of all sorts, including books, movies, and games, so it is excellent to be in this field. Media is power, and any power can be used for good or for ill. 

I am sure there will be other responses to this too. 

Happy writing and creating!

Inshallah, the intentions are sufficient.

Allah rewards and punishes based on intent, not accidental actions.