Miscellaneous

Q: I have a skin condition on my face which I am suffering from for +/- 10 years. I have tried various treatments but the success is very short. I was told about a natural medication which I researched with good results. I completed 10 days of the course (so far good) before learning that the capsules are made from bovine gelatin. Is it possible to continue the medication? I do not wish to consume something that is not lawful and at the same time I want a cure to my skin condition.

Q: There is a Hadith that states: “Allah has cursed wine, the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who purchases it, the one who presses it, the one who manufactures it, the one who transports it and the one to whom it is delivered.” (Abu Dawood, #: 3676, Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar) What exactly does wine/alcohol mean? I am in the planted aquarium hobby. One of the practices is to make DIY CO2. This involves mixing yeast (baking or brewers yeast) with sugar, to produce CO2, that is transported to the tank in order to improve plant growth. The yeast/sugar mix eventually turns into alcohol, and thereafter is replaced with a new mixture. For a full article on the procedure, please refer to http://agustiono-aquarium.blogspot.co.za/2008/09/treatise-on-diy-co2-sy… Does such mixtures fall into the above Hadith?

Q: May I please know whether buying flower vases and other items of decorations to decorate one's house amounts to israaf (extravagance)?

Q:

1. In fazaail-e-amaal we read that minor sins are easily pardoned. What are the differences between major and minor sins?

2. Is there a list of major/minor sins so we can guard ourselves appropriately?

Q: Is Skype call or Video Phone Call tasweer? It's Live, not recorded.

Q: Please comment on the following statement issued by the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) on Islamic TV stations. http://www.radioislam.co.za/news/2012/JUSA.View.of.Ulama.on.TV.Clarifie… Is this statement correct? Particularly the last paragraph?

Q:

1. Is it permissible to donate organs? For example, if a family member or a friend is in need of a kidney, are you allowed to donate your kidney?

2. Is it permissible to donate a body for medical research?

3. What is the Islamic ruling for donating blood?

4. If a family member is on a ventilation machine and there is no hope of recovery, is it permissible to disconnect it?

Q: Can we can watch TV and listen to music? Is it prohibited in Islam or not?

Q: Would attending a mixed university be permissible? How are we to decide which mixed gatherings are permissible and which aren't? Like restaurants, shops, family gatherings are all mixed. Public places are mixed too. I don't think its a part of our religion to cut ourself from the world?