Screencasts

Q: A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration. It is commonly used in education, both in online courses and software training videos. Only the screen output is shown and nothing else. It is often that the audio narration is done by a woman.

(1) Is it permissible for a male to watch a screencast if the audio narration is done by a woman? Only her voice is heard.

(2) Is it permissible for a female to watch a screencast if the audio narration is done by a male? Only his voice is heard.

(3) Is it permissible for a male to do the audio narration of a screencast if he knows that both men and woman will hear his voice? This would only be for screencasts of a permissible nature and with no animate images.

Actions of the night

Q: Please advise regarding the actions of the night:

1. Is it necessary to close all doors and windows of the house from maghrib till after sunrise?

2. If so, must it be done in even hot weather or with a window in the toilet room as well?

3. Must a utensil, like a plastic jug, kept in a toilet-bathroom that is used expressly for the purpose of holding water for istinja also be covered at night?

4. If so, can the water in such a utensil that was not covered at night be used for istinja?

5. Should even adults avoid leaving the home or standing around outside unnecessarily from maghrib till after sunrise?

6. Must one avoid cutting trees and plants, gardening, picking flowers etc. from maghrib till after sunrise?

7. Would (Question 6) apply to indoor plants as well? 8. Also, is it alright to have plants growing indoors? Like a vase of flowers, a tree, or a pot plant?

Issuing talaaq for residency purposes

Q: I am in U.S. on a visit visa. I got a girl to marry on contract but I am married in my country. In U.S. you can marry one lady at a time so I have to give one sided talaak to my first wife. It's just for paper work. In real I don't want to give my first wife talaak. Is it permissible in Islam because through this I will get permanent residency in the U.S.

Daughter visiting her non-Muslim father

Q: My 18 year old daughter has decided to go against my wishes to see her father that last saw her when she was 2 years old. He embraced islam when we got married but reverted back to christianity when we got divorced. I've managed to keep her away from him as he has very bad habits but lately she has gotten in contact with him without my knowledge and he has promised her money and a better life. I don't know what to do. I would like to know what shariah says about this situation.