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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

13 Questions

I have been told that Islamic rulings dictate that we cannot eat with a Hindu or anyone that is not from Ahle Kitab and that the food that they touch becomes impure. Is this true? If so, isn't this just plain discrimination?
Rebecca Masterton

There is an article entitled 'The Implications of Unbelief: Tracing the Emergence of Distinctly Shi'i Notions Regarding the Food and Impurity of Non-Muslims', by David Freidenreich, published in 'Islamic Law and Society', Vol. 18, published by Brill. This traces the development of Shi'i fiqh, and makes the point that the particular development of these rules developed in the 5th/11th century; i.e. the matter was much less clear prior to this era. It would require a study of the socio-political background to the development of this fiqh, in order to understand further what brought about this development. There are also a number of contradictory narrations in Shi'i sources regarding these rulings.  Incidentally, Hindus also have rulings on purity with regard to non-Hindus.
Can we judge how someone's character will be in the future with the help of Istekhara, such as in a marriage situation?
Amina Inloes

The goal of istikhara, as presented in hadith, is to seek divine wisdom for what path we should take. So, from that angle, the goal of istikhara is not to see how someone's character will be in a marriage.

However, some scholars who have a lot of experience performing istikharas might sometimes be able to offer some insights on the matter, especially if it is glaringly apparent.
A website gives rewards for every new user that signs up, but its terms say that a person is allowed to open only one account. Is it allowed in Islam for me to make many accounts on such a site?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

When they put a condition that a person is allowed one account only, then you can not break this condition to get reward more than what has been set by the company.

'Wassalam.
Is it permissible to read PDFs of books or articles that are downloaded from pirated sites?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Knowledge is for all human beings and no one has right to prevent knowledge, but we are not allowed to cause harm to others.

'Wassalam.