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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

16 Questions

Is studying astrology for future predictions considered Shirk, and if so, why did Allah create this knowledge? Did our Imams (a) have an understanding of astrology?
Amina Inloes

The are a number of narrations indicating that the Imams (A) had comprehensive knowledge of astrology, and you can find them in books such as volume 55 of Bihar al-Anwar. (Whether one accepts them is a personal decision, but there are no narrations to the contrary.) One narration (the "Myrobalan Fruit") implies that astrology exists as a way to prove the existence of God and the prophets' knowledge from God. 

Whether or not astrology is considered shirk has tended to depend on worldview. If someone is an atheist and believes that there is no God but that the stars and planets control their destiny, then this is shirk. If someone believes that their fate is wholly fixed by astrology, and that God cannot change it, this is also theologically inappropriate.

If someone believes that God is in command of the entire universe, and astrology is part of the divine plan, and that our ultimate fate is in the hands of God, this is not shirk.

Some Muslims today are too eager to throw around the word "shirk" without thinking about what they are actually saying.  
Is my stepfather allowed to see my future daughter's hair, and can he be considered her Mahram?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Your step father who has consummated his marriage with your mother is a Mahram for you and your daughter. He can see you and your daughters with out Hijab.

Wassalam.
What is the Islamic perspective on future trading of commodities such as gold and silver, particularly concerning leverage and margin trading?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Future trading of commodities is allowed even if it involves  leverage and margin trading as far as the trading itself does not involve unlawful deal or material.

Wassalam.
I have a proposal from a Catholic man who wants to convert to Islam and has family support. Are there any restrictions regarding his family, him, me, or our future children in this situation?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Congratulations on your proposal. If he meets the right requirements for a spouse, and there is compatibility, and families are happy, go ahead. 

No, there are no restrictions, other than the basic shar'i matters, like halal food, no alcohol, etc. Besides this, you and him can visit them in Christmas, and be with them, like any other family. 

And Allah knows best