Q: There will be an exhibition called "body works" held in cape town soon. It is where the human body is displayed in its true form but in such a way that it educates people on how the body works and illustrate certain aspects of the human anatomy. It is very informative and I would like to attend since I am in the medical field. The only thing is that those are actual human bodies which obviously have been preserved for this purpose. Is it islamically permissible to view these bodies or attend such an exhibition even if it is being done very professionally and discreetly?

Q: You may have heard of brother Mu'adh Khan from UK (aka Colonel). He has connection with Deobandi Ulama and is mostly well regarded. His latest idea or fad (call it what you will) is to do a TV Documentary on Deobandis in light of the media attack on Deobandis in the UK. He says he needs to do something for the Ummah right now and has requested sisters to come forward who wish to speak on camera. On his Twitter account he is moaning to Muftis that he can't get hold of any women for the documentary. Surely a TV programme involving at least the voice and possibly the face of a ghayr mahram is impermissible or am I missing some Fiqh that the self-styled scholar has tapped in to? Is this not a case of using batil means to spread the Haq?

Q: I had gotten married to a Christian woman in order to avoid zina, with her having an interest in Islam at that stage. After a few months, she was prepared to become Muslim, but due to bad habits of mine, she didn't want to take the shahada as she wanted me to be of sober habit and mind in order to guide her through the transition. In the past month and a half she constantly reprimanded me with regards to my habit, saying she is ready for the shahada, and eventually she told me she will take the shahada regardless of my amendment of my ways. She even went to madrasah and began reading Islamic kitaabs. Two weeks ago she passed away in a car accident. Due to us living in separate towns, I do not know if she took the shahada or not. Is it permissible for me to send esaale thawaab for the deceased? In the case that she never took shahada, I am in great fear of Allah's punishment. It was my weakness that caused delay in the issue. What would Mufti Saheb advise so that Allah may forgive me and not take me to task through the deceased taking me to task?

Q: I wish to know what Islam says regarding digital photography. I hear that some scholars regard it as permissible arguing that it is totally different from a normal picture due to it having more resemblance with the reflection of a mirror. Based on this, it is permissible for one to capture digital photos of animate objects and store them on one’s phone. Is this viewpoint correct?

Could you please clarify the issue for me and explain the correct Islamic viewpoint on this matter to me, as well as provide me with the answers to the arguments of those who claim that digital photography is permissible?

I would appreciate if you could also explain the view of the four Imaams regarding photography.

Q: I heard that using a tasbeeh is bid'ah, is this true?

Q: If I make a software and allow Google to display ads on it to earn, what kind of income is it?

Q: I have a question regarding cross contamination of non-halal food (pork) with my sandwich. I noticed the person did not change his gloves before preparing my food and he handled pork before it. I had the sandwich anyway and I feel so guilty. What are the general rules I should know regarding this situation and what do I do now that it has happened?

Q: Can I allow companies to place advertisements on my website and charge them for it?

Q: I wanted to find out something regarding interest. I'm currently in an unstable financial situation, I find it very difficult to pay my expenses, I'm currently working and have tried many things to make additional income with no success. I've been working on a business plan and submitted to government, would it be permissible for me to take a loan from them? The loan will have interest payable. I cannot go to any Islamic bank etc because of my financial record. I have no other options, please advise.

Q: I am currently working in a store which sells health and beauty products, including makeup, perfumes, creams, medicines, etc. Some of these products contain unlawful ingredients like alcohol and glycerin (which may be derived from animals or vegetables), and some may also have been tested on animals. My question is, is it permissible for me to work there selling these items?