1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

35 Questions

Is it prohibited to eat meat during Muharram?
Amina Inloes

It is not prohibited, but, traditionally, some people have chosen not to eat meat in the hope that it makes the heart softer towards the tragedy of Imam Husain (A), or as a gesture of abstinence for mourning, or because Imam Husain (A) was slaughtered similar to how an animals is slaughtered, or some other reasons. 

Anyway I am not aware of the origin of this practice, but it is a personal choice whether one eats meat or does not eat meat.

In practice, many of the traditional foods distributed in some places during the month of Muharram (such as the stews made in big pots) contain meat. 
Is it forbidden to buy a new house in the month of Muharram? Would it result in a problem since this month is about mourning?
Amina Inloes

It is not forbidden, although, customarily, some people might consider it better to wait.

Hadith focus on mourning on the day of Ashura and refraining from worldly affairs on Ashura, or for the first 10 days of Muharram, rather than the entire month of Muharram. I would personally advise against buying a house on the actual day of Ashura, although again it is not forbidden. 

Anyway, you have to live somewhere, and if you need somewhere to live now, or if your best option to buy the house now, you have to make the choice that is best for you. You are better able to serve Imam Husain if you are not homeless!
Is it prohibited to eat meat during Muharram?
Zoheir Ali Esmail

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. It is not prohibited.

May you always be successful 
Is it permissible for a scholar or a reciter to demand high fees for conducting Muharram lectures?
Amina Inloes

Ideally, and traditionally, religious work should be done first and foremost as a service to Allah. It doesn't not mean that one cannot be paid for it, but just that money shouldn't be the main goal. If someone's main goal is money, there are other professions which are more lucrative. 

Religious work - like art or sports or other endeavors which require a lot of dedication - has the highest quality when it is done out of sincerity and love for what one is doing. When it is done primarily for financial gain, it loses something. Also, when it is done with money as the priority, the speaker or reciter loses their freedom to speak the truth as they see it and can begin to feel compelled to please the people rather than please the Truth. 

There have been some notable scholars throughout history who took no money for their efforts.

However, on the flip side, it is good for communities to assist those who serve them financially. When a community hears a speech or majlis, they only see the hour or two of the program. However, the person delivering it may have had to take time off of paid work to prepare or travel, invest time and money in training and books and developing speaking skills, etc, etc. For instance, if someone takes 2 weeks off of work to travel to give majalis, they are losing a lot of their basic income.

Some people also rely on lectures and majalis for their income, especially because sometimes people who work full-time in the religious community are not in a good financial situation. Often it is the people who are the most reliant on receiving hediyas that are shy to ask for high amounts or specific amounts. So it is good to be thoughtful of that and to be generous within the range of what is possible.