Q & A

Tasneem Institute’s Question and Answer page is your go-to resource for clear, concise, thoughtful answers to pressing questions about Islam. Whether you’re exploring complex theological concepts or seeking practical guidance on everyday matters, our team of scholars provides insights rooted in the Quran, the teachings of Ahlul Bayt, and Shia jurisprudence. Submit your questions and get the clarity you need to navigate your faith journey with confidence.

Jurisprudence

What is the evidence for the obligation of Khums?

“And know that anything you obtain of war booty – then indeed, for God is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the [stranded] traveler, if you have believed in God and in that which We sent down to Our Servant…” Quran 8:41

1. the term ‘Ghanemtom’ means ‘you profited’. The booty of war is only an example of that. For example, in Ayah 94 Surah Nisa we read: “There are much more profits ( مغانم ) with Allah”.

2. Sunnis who deny Khoms on financial profits also believe there is Khoms on mines, which is not a booty of war.

3. The contents of the Ayah is about the battle of Badr. However, the content is only an example, it does not limit the meaning of the Ayah to the booty of war. Because the Almighty Allah says: ماغنمتم من شیء which means ‘whatever you gained and profited’. The term ‘whatever’ is general and includes any profit whether the source of it is the booty of a war, a business, finding a treasury, etc.

For example, in Ayah 7 Surah 59 we read: “and whatsoever the Prophet gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” The contents of this Ayah is about a kind of booty that we call: الفیء. But can we say obedience to the Prophet is only on the booty of war? No, why, because the Ayah is general. In fact, this is the style of the Quran, to make a general rule through an example.

4. The percentage of Zakat varies on different items and circumstances. For example, if the farm of wheat or barely was irrigated by rain or any natural water-which did not cost the farmer anymore to irrigate it, once the corps reaches the threshold, 1/10 of it is due for Zakat, whereas if the farm was irrigated artificially, then 1/20 e.t.c.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Originally posted by www.askthesheikh.com

Is a pregnant woman obligated to fast during the month of Ramadan?

Fasting, especially in the long days of summer, is risky for pregnant women, particularly during the first and last three months of pregnancy. Therefore, you are exempt from fasting if:

1) you are sure you can’t fast
2) It is too difficult for you to fast
3) you have a sensible concern that it harms yourself or your baby
4) your doctor professionally advises that fasting may harm the baby due to the lack of required nutrition and protein.

You should however keep the record of the days you didn’t fast to make them up in the future. Also, you need to pay an amount equal to 750 grams of wheat or rice to the poor Muslims.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansor Leghaei

Originally posted by www.askthesheikh.com

What is the Islamic ruling on abortion?

1. Deliberate termination of a human fetus surgically, chemically or by any other artificial method is intrinsically an unlawful act in Islam and its doer will be held liable both in here and in the hereafter.

2. A pregnant woman from the Islamic point of view is not the owner of her foetus; she is rather entrusted with a human being in its early stages of its life and is responsible for its nourishment and development. The likeness of a mother`s womb in Islam is the likeness of an enriched tilth for cultivation. [The Holy Qur’an, 2:223]

3. In Islam ‘all life matters’. Killing an innocent human even in its early stages (as in abortion) is like killing the whole of mankind. Similarly, saving the life of a single human (even in its fetus or embryonic stage) is like saving the life of the whole of mankind. [Ibid, 5:32]

4. Killing an innocent human is considered to be one of the mortal sins.

5. There are specified fiscal penalties for killing or aborting a foetus. Although there is no ethical difference between taking the life of an unborn child at 5 weeks gestation or at 24 weeks gestation, given that the same child is just 19 weeks more mature, there is a different fiscal penalty for them. In Islam, the age of the foetus is divided into five stages commencing from the very conception, and the amount of the penalty varies accordingly.

6. If a mother aborts her foetus without the consent of her husband, he should be compensated. As the ‘killer’ of her child, she will be deprived of inheriting from her child. Similarly, if a man forces his wife to abort the foetus, he is liable to compensate his wife and as the ‘killer’ of his child, he will be deprived of its inheritance.

7. A Prophetic tradition states that on the Day of Judgment, the first case will be about shedding innocent blood. [al-Bukhari, al-Sahih, vol.8 p.35 ] The terminated foetus will confront its killer saying: “For what sin, was I killed?” [The Holy Qur’an, 81: 9]

8. The above verdicts are for the cases where abortion is done for selfish and personal reasons and not medical. Abortion is permissible only if the life of the mother is at a serious risk. The doer, however, will be still liable to pay the fiscal penalty.

9. The usage of various contraceptives which temporarily prevent conception are permissible in Islam, given they do not cause serious harm to the mother.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Originally posted by www.askthesheikh.com

Does having cat hair on my clothes invalidate my prayer?

Of the conditions of clothing when praying is that it should not be made from the parts of an animal that is not edible. It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s) in an authentic Hadith:

“Surely, praying in the hair, fur, skin, urine, excretion, fat and anything from an animal that is not edible voids the Salāt and it will not be accepted unless the person prays in what Allah has made permissible. Then the Imam said: O’ Zorarah! This is from Allah’s Messenger (P) so, hold on to it.”

(al-Kāfi 3:397)

Therefore;

1) While cat hair is Tahir, praying in a clothing that has cat hair on it is impermissible. However, our jurists disagree on whether one or two hairs would also void the Salāt or not? Majority of our jurists including Ayatullah Khamenei hold that even one hair voids the Salāt. Ayatullah Sistani’s Fatwa, however, is one or two cat hairs do not void the Salāt. As you can see in practice there is not much difference between the Fatawas, and we are all bound to avoid cat hairs.

2) The moisture of a cat, e.g. saliva and wet nose, also voids Salāt if it’s wet and our jurists are unanimous about it.

3) While cat care is recommended in Islam, keeping a cat as a pet should be in accordance with the above rulings. Hair shedding is normal and natural in cats. Therefore, if you wish to keep a cat be extra-cautious for your clothing and place of prayer. Ultimately the best way to avoid their hair and love cats is to keep them outdoors.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Originally posted by www.askthesheikh.com