Q: During the construction of the Musjid a large extractor fan was put in as a mechanism to assist with cooling. It never worked as expected and was used very few times, and has laid dormant for 5 to 6 years. 

Now a soup kitchen (which is a waqf) requires a similar machine. The Musjid wants to give the soup kitchen the extractor at no cost. However, the cost of removing the extractor and patching up aspects of the Musjid where the extractor was attached will be paid for by the soup kitchen. 

Please advise if this is correct. If not what should he done as the Musjid wants to get rid of the extractor.

Q: A woman with a master’s degree in psychology conducts online Islamic lessons, programmes, and individual consultations, combining psychological concepts with Islamic teachings. However, she lacks systematic Islamic training and qualified teachers, having studied primarily through YouTube lectures and books. 

She makes statements such as, “I do not have a teacher. Allah Himself teaches me the wisdom I share in my lessons,” “Ilham comes into my heart like rain,” and “I do not have a murshid; wisdom comes into my heart, and then I weigh it against the Qur’an and Sunnah.” She frequently claims to receive divine inspiration and guidance through dreams and uses her students’ dreams to support her teachings. 

One of her programme assignments is muraqabah, in which students are instructed to describe ordinary daily activities using expressions such as, “Allah made me wash the dishes and look after my children.” 

We would like to ask the following questions: 

1. What is the Islamic ruling on her conduct, teaching methods, claims of ilham, use of dreams as evidence, and attribution of ordinary actions to Allah in this manner? Is it permissible for someone without systematic Islamic training or qualified teachers to conduct Islamic programmes and offer consultations as an Islamic psychologist, combining psychology with Islamic teachings? 

2. Is it permissible for women to consult qualified male scholars regarding her teachings and practices when no suitably qualified female scholars are available? The woman objects to this, arguing that sharing materials from her women-only Telegram channel violates the amanah (trust). Are women permitted to share relevant materials with scholars for the purpose of obtaining an accurate Islamic ruling?

Q: I need guidance regarding an incident from my previous Umrah. I follow the Hanafi madhab. 

I was in the state of Ihram for approximately two days. During that time, I used scented baby wet wipes while changing my daughter’s diaper. I don’t remember how many times I used them. 

Initially, I didn’t realise that the wipes were scented. When I realised, I stopped using them. However, on one occasion, I forgot about the restriction and used the wipes again. I used only a small amount before remembering and putting them away immediately. 

I was using the wipes on my daughter, not intentionally applying fragrance to myself. However, a little fragrance may have transferred to my hands while changing her diaper. 

Could you please guide me according to the Hanafi madhab on whether any compensation is required? If compensation is required, please tell me the exact amount in Indian rupees, how it should be paid, and who is eligible to receive it. Since I cannot remember how many times I used the wipes, please also advise me on how the compensation should be calculated.

Q: The influence of the Ba’Alawi tareeqah has spread substantially, more so in Cape Town, and now too in Gauteng. 

Are they on the right manhaj? Is it permissible to attend their gatherings and listen to their talks? 

A lot has been said about some of their scholars but Habib Umar himself seems to be very pious and adhering to Sunnah.

Q: We supplied stock to Muslim owned wholesaler. This is how the transaction went: 

We quoted a price. The buyer was happy and they placed an order of 10 pallets of stock. We arranged the stock, invoice it and supplied it without any problem. 14 days later the client paid. There was no defect in the product. 2 weeks after they paid, the price of this product dropped in the market, so that is nearly 30 days after they placed the order. 

The item sells at R27 and we supplied it to him at R22. Two weeks after he had it on his floor and the price dropped, he contacted us to say that he can get it at R19. 00 and we must pick up the stock or exchange it for another item with a good price. 

What am I allowed to do it the sharia regarding this situation? 

I did say I can drop this price abit and refund you a R2 but he did not sound happy. This will also put me in a problem as now I have to go and collect the stock at my cost and my profit margin was low when doing this deal. 

As a Muslim business man, is he allowed to instruct me to pick up my stock according to how the transaction took place and refund him or send him other stock for that value. What if I don't have a good deal for him at this moment?

Q: What are the rights of our parents upon us as convert Muslims? (Mind you our parents are non Muslims) Since someone said, even their prayers don't help us with anything because they are not Muslims and they are therefore not important to us because they are non Muslims. Is this true? 

Another question is that once you get married and your parents ask you to do something for them whilst your husband refuses, who should you obey? We know Islam says jannah lies under your mother's feet so when it comes to that, which side does the woman take? Does she have to obey the husband and ignore the parents?

Q: Can I read Aayate Kareema (Prophet Yunus alaihis salaam's dua) everyday 1000 times? 

Can I count it as Istighfaar or Tauba or both? If yes then do I need to do the istighfaar separately or the above 1000 times Aayate Kareema daily is istighfaar as well. 

Does reading Aayate Kareema need ijaazat/permission from any Shaikh, Aalim or Mufti?

Q: I completed umrah and came out of ihraam and only after I realized I read the 2 rakaats waajib tawaaf with old bubblegum in my mouth. What should I do?

Q: Recently in my backyard I built a small cottage for my elderly parents to move into. My father actually built it i.e. he paid for it and alhamdullilah they moved in. So the main house belongs to me as well as the land, only the back cottage belongs to my father. 

I have a 20 yr old son, who my father told him that when we are gone (i.e. my parents), this house (back cottage) is yours. 

Now what happens when my parents leave this world? How does it work with regards to the inheritance etc.? 

And can it lead to problems and what will be the solution? Because my parents will obviously have to live there until they leave this world. 

Q: Someone owes me money and he's not paying. I tried calling him and messaging him many times, but there hasn't been any response. I want to go to his shop which is 3 hours away to get my money from him. 

My question is, can I charge him for the petrol that will cost me to go and fetch my money?