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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

42 Questions

Can the Kaffara of a broken oath be given to food banks or must it be given to the indigent person directly? Also, must it be paid in food or can we pay an Islamic charity in cash if they will use it for food?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Kaffara of breaking an with is feeding ten poor believers or clothing them. Feeding  must be given in food not cash, to poor believers. It can not be given to food banks who give everyone from every faith. You can give the amount to any trusted Muslim charity or person who buys and distributes food for poor believers only.

Wassalam.
Does asking for peoples' Duas when donating a water well and requesting them to pray for your family on the well's plaque invalidate your charity and make it an act for something other than Allah? Or is it acceptable as a sincere act of charity?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Charity done for the sake of Allah, does not need people to pray for you or your family as Allah Knows you and your family and Grants reward of the charity to everyone who sincerely does good.

'Requesting people to pray for you or your family does not invalidate your charity, as far as your intention behind the charity was for the sake of Allah.

'Wassalam.
What is the most effective method of charity in terms of monetary or material contributions? Is it more beneficial to donate items directly or sell them and contribute the funds? Are there any principles to follow when choosing a form of charity?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Every type of charity is good in any form which helps the good cause. It depends on the situation of the needy persons to decide the most effective form to help them. We have in the Hadeeths from the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) many teachings in giving charity e.g. 1. Giving the charity secretly is much better than giving it publicly unless you want to encourage others to give. 2. Keeping the respect and dignity of the person in need. 3. Best charity is the one which terminates the need of the needy خير الصدقة ما أغنت. 4

4. Giving from what like is much better from giving from what you don't like.5. Not to mention what you gave to any one and keeping it between you and Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.
I am from Hashemi descent and my mother is from the lineage of Imam Ali Raza (AS). Should I wear a black or white turban, and how does it affect who I pay my Sadqa, Fitra, and Khums to?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

If your father is from the family tree of Bani Hashim, then you are a Sayyed and you can wear black turban and pay your Fitra to Sayyed poor persons.

Wassalam.