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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

59 Questions

What would happen if a person dies in a state of Nijasat or in a state where Ghusal was obligatory on him?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The Ghusl of Mayyit which is obligatory on every dead Muslim is enough for him.

Wassalam.
What can someone, who is in a state of ritual impurity, do when he is unable to perform Ghusl before his prayers will become Qadha? Will normal ablution suffice if clean sand for Tayammum is not readily available?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

When Ghusl is not possible, Tayammum must be performed to perform the obligatory Prayer within its time. Tayammum can be performed on any material of earth e.g. dry soil. Sand, stones, dust, etc. Wudhu does not suffice when Ghusl is not possible, but Tayammum is the only alternative.

Wassalam.
What should I do about impurities on other people such as if they touch my things with wet hands?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

If you are sure that your things were been touched by a Najis item with wetness, then you need to wash it to make it Taahir. But if you just doubt whether the item was really Najis or not, or whether it was wet or not, then such doubt has no value and your items remain Taahir.

Wassalam.
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.