Q: Is the wearing of a hat (Topi) proven from Hadith? Did Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaaba wear the Topi?
A: Abu Kabsha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the hats of the companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to be round and spacious. (Mirqaat vol.8 pg.246)

It is narrated by Tabrani on the authority of Ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhuma) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to wear a white hat. (Ibid)

Hassan Basri (Rahmatullah Alayhi) states that the people (Sahaaba - Radhiallaahu Anhum) used to make Sajda (prostrate) upon their turbans and hats. (Bukhari vol.1 pg.56; Rashidiyya)

Mullah Ali Qari (Rahmatulah Alayhi) states that the wearing of the hat has become one of the salient symbols of Islam. (Mirqaat vol.8 pg.246) It is the only outward and unique salient feature that distinguishes a Muslim from a non-Muslim. No other community group or people wear the Muslim type hat.

Q: Is it true that Hajj becomes compulsory if one is in Makkah Mukarramah on the 1st of Shawwal?
A: Hajj does not become compulsory by merely being in Makkah Mukarramah on the 1st of Shawwal. However, if one did not perform Fardh Hajj, and one has the financial means to stay in Makkah Mukarramah until Hajj, then only will Hajj become compulsory. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.529)

Q: Can a mother-in-law go for Umrah with her son-in-law?
A: The son-in-law is a Mahram to his mother-in-law, therefore, she can travel with him for Umrah. However, if both or anyone of them are young, in view of the prevalent evils and immoralities, extreme precaution should be taken.

Q: I had a burglary in my house and Zakaat monies given to me by people to distribute were stolen. Is the Zakaat discharged or not? If not, am I responsible to discharge the Zakaat with personal monies?
A: The Zakaat of the people is not discharged. Since there was no negligence on your behalf, you are not responsible to discharge the Zakaat with personal monies. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.299)

Q: I have gold and silver jewellery to the value of R12,000 and a liability of R28,000. Do I have to pay Zakaat on the gold and silver Jewellery?
A: If you have other Zakaatable assets besides the gold and silver jewellery, its value should be added to the value of the gold and silver jewellery as well. If the liability of R28,000.00 exceeds the value of the assets there is no Zakaat. However, if there is an excess which is equivalent or more than the nisaab amount, Zakaat will be payable on the excess only.

Q: If one owns 40% of shares in a company, then how is Zakaat calculated on his share?
A: If the company is a trading investment then Zakaat is payable on the capital amount as well as the dividends. If the company is not a trading investment and only receives income, for example from rentals of properties then Zakaat is liable only on the dividends.

In this case, as a shareholder of a trading investment, Zakaat is due at 2.5% of the 40% shareholding on the capital, as well as on the dividends.

Q: I am an asthma patient. Is it permissible for me to use the inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol (liquid medication). If it is not permissible, what should I do when I get an asthma attack during fasting?
A: Since the inhaler contains a medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at the time of Sahri to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate alternative which does not break the fast, you may use the inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa).

Q: Is it permissible to accept edible gifts from non-Muslims during their festivals, e.g. Christmas, etc.?
A: While it is permissible to accept gifts from non-Muslims, extreme precaution should be taken. For example, during their religious festivals, edibles are generally prayed on; to consume such food is Haraam. Therefore, as a matter of precaution all edibles given by non-Muslims during their festivals should not be consumed. It is also not permissible to participate in their functions and festivals. (Fataawa Abdul Hai pg. 482)

Q: During the apartheid era, the government had wrongfully expropriated land in order to give effect to its policy of racial segregation. The new government has passed a law to redress the wrongful usurpation of land by the previous government in the form of Restitution of The Land Rights Act, 1994. How should the property or its compensation be distributed?
A: According to Shariah, the expropriated property belongs to the owner of the property at the time of usurpation. If the original owner or any shareholder passed away, their share will be distributed to their heirs according to the Islamic Law of Inheritance and Succession. (Answer confirmed by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani, Pakistan)

Q: During menopause generally a female's monthly cycle of bleeding is suppressd resulting in her experiencing hot flushes and other medical complications. Her physician prescribes HRT (hormone replacement tablets) in order to enhance her monthly cycle which gives her relief. Will the enhanced bleeding be regarded as Haydh?
A: The enhanced bleeding by HRT (hormone replacement tablets) will be regarded as Haydh. (Shaami vol.1 pg.222; Rashidiyya).

The same ruling applies for a female who attained the age of despair (Sinne-Iyaas) of 50 years. During Haydh (menstruation), a female cannot perform Salaat, fast, recite and touch the Qur'an and make Tawaaf.

Q: A person sold his business. Among the conditions of sale was that the purchaser pay out all the creditors of the business. The creditors were not consulted. Now that the new owner is insolvent and has not yet paid the previous owner - who is responsible for those debts?
A: According to Shari'ah, in order for the transfer (Hawala) of a debt to be valid, besides the original owner of the business and purchaser, the creditor(s) must also consent to the transfer of the debt. Since the creditor(s) did not consent to the transfer of the debt, the previous owner of the business is responsible for those debts. (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.4 pg.321; Kuwait)

Q: Can a woman use nail hardner on her finger nails to protect them from breaking and falling off? Must she remove the hardner during Wudhu?
A: It is permissible to use nail hardner for medical purposes. Until it serves as a medicine, she does not have to remove it for Wudhu. (Nurul-Idhaah pg.49)

Q: What is the Shar'ee position of Taraweeh? Do women also have to perform Taraweeh?
A: To perform 20 Rakaats Taraweeh is Sunnat-e-Muakkadah (emphasised Sunnat) for both males and females. (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.2 pg.43; HM Saeed)

Q: Is it permissible to enter a competition, whereby the winner is chosen from a box of mixed 'names' wrapped in paper? One condition is that the enterant must purchase any of their products.
A: If the product is sold at a fair market price, then any award given to a particular purchaser is a voluntary gift for which one can draw a lot. However, if the price is increased on the basis of an intended award by drawing a lot, then this will be gambling and will not be permissible. (Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani; Pakistan)

Q: Is it permissible to use a perfume, deodorant, etc. which contains alcohol, and if so, can one perform Salaat without washing it off?
A: It is not permissible to use deodorants that contain alcohol from grapes or date extracts. Such perfumes are impure and Salaat with it is invalid. However, if the alcohol is synthetic, it is pure and permissible to use. Salaat without washing off such perfumes will be valid. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to differentiate between genuine and synthetic alcohol. Thus, to be on the safe side, one should rather prefer using deodorants and perfumes that are labelled as 'alcohol-free', especially when such perfumes are easily available. (Mufti M Saeed Motara; Azaadville)

Q: Is it permissible to take an injection while fasting and does that nullify the fast?
A: It is permissible to take an injection during fasting. The injection does not nullify the fast. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.432)

Q: Is it permissible for males to have general conversations with females on the chat-line of the Internet?
A: It is strictly prohibited (Haraam) for strange males and females to have general conversations with each other through any communication, such as telephone, chat-line, CB's, etc. Often, such communications lead to many immoral acts and also cause marital disputes.

Q: In Saudi Arabia, if Ramadhaan commences one or two days before South Africa, a person who commences his Ramadhaan in SA and spends Eid in Saudi Arabia would fast only 28/29 days. Similarly, if a person commences his Ramadhaan in Saudi Arabia and upon returning to SA before Eid, if the moon is not sighted after the 29th fast, he would have fasted 31 days. What must be done in such situations?
A: In the first situation, if Ramadhaan commenced in Saudia Arabia two days before South Africa, the person should make Eid with the people in Saudi Arabia and later make-up for one fast. In the second situation, he must keep the 31st fast and make Eid with the people in South Africa. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.433)

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)