Ask Our Imam

 
Question :As Salamu Walaikum, I am an african american female with all female children and wanted to know how well we would be rec'd by the community. We are looking to move to VA for the sake of Allah to learn more about our deen and grow. Inshallah, you can give me more info on classes that you guys may have for beginners.Inshallah

Answer :Waalikum Assalam sister. We welcome your move to Northern VA. We are a very diverse community with about 35 nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. Our classes are posted on our website. There is a special class for new Muslims and non-Muslims on Sundays. We have five daily prayers with half to a full house in Isha and Fajr. We hold three Friday prayers to accommodate the ever increasing numbers of worshippers. Each prayer is attended by about a thousand attendees, males and females. We have a special prayer place to secure privacy for sisters. We have a week-end school for children, with Quran memorization and Arabic teaching included. Just come and see for yourself.

Question :SALAM WALIKOUN. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BUYING A HOUSE BY LOAN FROM THE BANK. JAZAKA ALLAH KHAIR

Answer :Bank loans are technically a form of Reba (Usury) which is prohibited Islamically. The current housing crisis that led to the overall financial crisis is a strong testimony of and a reminder to the protections Islam offers in prohibiting Reba to protect the financial stability of the economy in general to ensure a fair system for the individual.

Question :Asalmuaalaikum; Q.If a person is suspecting of the bad eye, because the person's life had completely changed from better to worse, for example: - Not able to focus on studying. - Not feeling healthy, even after checking with a doctor. - Dark face appearance. Q.Can I ask for an Imam or a shaikh to perform a blessing on me? Jazakom Allah Khair

Answer :You may seek what is known as Ruqyah Sha’iyyah from a sheikh who has experience with such issues. Ruqyah is Islamically acceptable if it includes nothing but recitation from Quran and or authentic Dou’aa from the Hadeeth of the Messenger SAAW.

Question :Salaama alaikum. At work we have Christmas dinner they invited me I am not sure to go and participate we exchange gifts. As a Muslim is it a sin to participate of course i do not believe or celebrate christmas. Every year we help decorate the office is it a sin?

Answer :Islam encourages collegial spirit with the “People of the Book”, i.e. Christians and Jews. It invited Muslims to eat their foods, and share theirs with them. It allows a Muslim to marry a Christian of Jewish woman, who upholds values of religion, morality and chastity. As such, there should be no objection to the spirit in which you are engendering mutual respect among your office colleagues. Islam also teaches us that the entire human race is but one family. As such Islam expects us to treat everyone as a family as a matter of foundation.

Question :Asalamo Alaicom warahmato Llah wa barakatoh. Dear Imam I want to learn The holly Quran word by word and I need help because I born muslim I followed my people of what god said,but I don't see myself as a muslim all what I know is not strong as it suppos to be I want to be a real muslim women and my decison is to understand the quran and it principals. Jazakom allaho kola khir.

Answer :This is a reflection of your good spirit in turning to the basic learning of the Quran. The pursuit of knowledge is very vital for the life of any Muslim, man or woman. We do have classes to teach the Quran, both on Sundays and Fridays. Also if you attend the Friday prayer sermon, you will be exposed to much of the Quranic teaching your are seeking.

Question :Assalamu Alaikum, I had a quick question regarding salat. After you perform your salat and before you voluntary pray an "extra", I've seen most people switch places saying it's good and some people say it's haram. I never knew the reason why people do that and why some people don't. Can you please tell me what the reason may be and if it's haram. Jzk, Sr. Senait Mohammed

Answer :Sr.Senait Mohammed, Waalaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa barakatuh.

The relevant hadeeth to your question is found in Sunan Ibn Majeh, where the Prophet PBUH says: “Could not one of you move right or left, a step forward or a step back i.e., to pray the Sunnah.” Ibn Majeh, part 4, page 351. This hadeeth establishes the precedent for such action.

Question :Asalaamu Alaikum. Is it haram for a muslim to buy life insurance?

Answer :Life insurance contract is considered a “deceitful” contract in Islamic law, since you are paying an unknown amount of money for an unknown length of time to obtain a predetermined known amount of money, if certain conditions apply. Co-op support system would be better. Some call it Takaful.

Question :Is kosher meat permissible for Sunni Muslims?

Answer :Any meat slaughtered by a Jew or a Christian is Halal according to Ayat 5, Surat 5 (Al maa’idah). Halal is always better but if not available, use the rule above.