how much reading is enough

Q: Assalamu Alaikum. My question is this, i was behind an imam in a congregational prayer, and at the end of the salat i.e tahiyya, the imam closed the prayer with Assalmu Alaikum wa rahmatullah. At that time i have not finished my tahiyya, so, shall i join him or i should finished then i close my prayer? thank you.

Time: Wednesday July 21, 2010 at 1:53 pm

am i divorced?

Q:  I am not getting a str8 answer. My wife got a court divorce and married my bestfried. Am I divorced or not? Some say I am not and I do not know what to do. I have a three yr old daughter. (email)

Here are what some call: ‘set up questions for interfaith students’

Questions:
I wrote earlier, but my question wasn’t responded to. But on reflection I have several questions, and I would really like a response in order to better understand the Muslim (Islamic) religion, and the general culture of the people who follow it. Please do not think that I am judging you, or begin cruel, but there are conflicts between what I have been taught, and what I have seen, and I believe that in order to form an honest opinion about Muslims, I should probably ask you about your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Again, I have hundreds of questions about Islam, but I will limit myself to 3, for now.

Thanks for what when you got no job?!

Q: I am told that to celebrate thanking is ok bcuz we celebrating the past years harvest. So if this is my intention can I do it? Can I have friends over to celebrate as Dawah? (text from 480 area code)

Ok, your answer was good for a student

Question/Comment: Assalamu alikum xx xxxxxxx xxxxxx,
I have a non-Muslim professor who asked me this question: “In Muslim culture, when doing business or interacting among friends, what is the cultural substitute for shaking hands?   How is a greeting communicated between a woman and a woman, between a man and a man, between a man and a woman during a first-time meeting?  How is respect shown?”…And this is how I put together my answer but I haven’t submitted to him, so would you please check my answer and tell me what needs to be changed, and what not…I will appreciate your feedback.
My answer: The handshake greeting is recommended between same genders in Islam. Men can shake hands, kiss on the cheeks, and hug…etc their wives, mothers, sisters, aunts. Men amongst themselves can greet each other the way they want as long as it’s appropriate (hugging, kissing on the cheeks, shaking hands, touching each other’s shoulder, whatever the culture of their nationality uses for greeting, and again as long as it’s appropriate from the manners prospective). And women can use the same greetings amongst themselves as well.
According to the Islamic law, it is not permissible for Muslim men or women to shake the hands of (any opposite gender who’s not related to that opposite gender; even though women cousins are related to that man, but they may not be allowed to greet with any physical contact), regardless of each others’ religion, nationality. The respect is shown between men and women the first time or any time they meet can be anything that does not cause or lead to a physical contact. It can be a respectful oral greeting, like the “Peace be upon you” phrase. In fact, to show higher respect for women in Islam; men can greet women, but they should not expect the women to greet them back. Also, the non-physical contact in the Muslim culture shows more respect toward women from men.”
How did I do? :/

Jazakum Allah min kul Khair.

(Name: Urgent! I need your answer as soon as possible please!)

Time: Tuesday November 23, 2010 at 11:31 pm

Is being a surrogate for another couple allowed?

Q: As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh,

I was wondering if being a surrogate for another couple who can not have a child be allowed in islam.

Time: Tuesday November 9, 2010 at 4:16 pm

‘Do Arab men truly not care about the opinions of women.’ I am sorry she says (Thank you!) Muslims will accept this apology! See MSA contribution that fits in just as neatly at the end…

Comment/Concern: While working I met a man of Islam. He was very kind to me, and always treated me with respect, patience, and attentiveness. I am an American woman (Divorced with children) and have always been taught that Arab men are abusive and controlling, and that for single women to touch them is considered highly offensive. So, despite his manners I avoided touching him at all costs, and only responded to his questions and conversation cautiously. When I last saw him I happened to take my break at the same time he came into my store. We ended up having lunch together, and he told me about his desires to marry and re-settle in Orem, Utah. He spoke of his love for children, and he complemented me on the beauty of my own children. His timing could not have been worse, and my manner in responding to him could not have been more shameful.

loans and its impact on Hajj and Umrah

Question 1 and 2: assalaamualaykum,
i have a student loan…partly subsidized and partly unsubsidized. what i wanted to know was if i can go on (Question 1) hajj and give (Question 2) qurbani considering the fact that i am making my payments regularly and have a fixed time-frame in which i intend to pay it off. furthermore, if i were to die, then i do intend to first pay off my loan through any jewelry  and belongings that i may leave behind.
jazakAllah khayr for your help.

Time: Monday October 25, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Q3: I got accepted to medical school. I owe $45 000 in loans. Out of happiness I want to go for umrah. I have not done hajj. Whts your take? (text – area code 251)

Sad News

Assalaamu’Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Our deepest and most sincere condolences go to the Afridi family. As most of you are aware by now, the Afridi family has lost their belovered mother/grandmother abroad.  Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihe rajeoon.  May Allah

‘Is it premissible in Islam to do qurbani oversea’

Q: Salamualikum,

I lived in Toronto, Canada. I have a question regarding Qurbani. I sent money back home to Pakistan to do my Eid ul Adha qurbani. Is it premissible in Islam to do qurbani oversea, because i perform my Eid prayer after the qurbani was done in Pakistan.  So my qurbani will be accepted or not.

Time: Saturday November 20, 2010 at 5:46 pm