Q: I am a new muslim and am a bit confused about certain issues concerning intercourse with one's wife. I have read fatwas and talked to recognised scholars, but I am still confused. First of all, I know that masturbating alone is haram, but what is if the spouses are not together due to travelling and while fantasizing of the spouse they touch the chest, merely to fantasize, not touching his genitals? Furthermore, to what extent is a partner allowed to touch himself/herself during intercourse? Is it true that during foreplay or intercourse I am not at all allowed to rub/touch my penis in her presence, and she is not allowed to enter her fingers in her vagina or stimulate the surroundings in my presence (from stimulating during foreplay to finishing off after sex or during menses)? If this is the case, does this refer only to the main sexual organs (penis and vagina opening) or are we also not allowed to stimulate our other parts like chests, prostata, clitoris, body, etc.? If we are allowed, does this count only during penetrition/intercourse or during the whole act of sex (during foreplay, can each partner touch his/her permissible parts to arouse himself/herself or arouse the partner; can a woman suck, lick her breasts to arouse herself and as a pleasure for her husband). Secondly, sheikh mohammad bin adam al kawthari, permits the use of toys under certain conditions, such as not using it on the main genitals (penis and vagina opening) to resemble masturbation; thus is there anything wrong with wearing a massage (vibrating) glove during mutual masturbation on the main privat parts and intercourse, as it is the hand one is using and not a toy? Can one use it on one's own permissible body parts (not to masturbate in case this is forbidden, see question 1). I prefer it as it prevents touching vaginal fluids by hand and does not resemble a male genital. Thirdly, if my wife wants me to spank her during intercourse, either by using my hand or a stick, is this allowed and to what extent? Not with the intention of resembling non-muslim habits or hurting her, merely because it arouses her and myself. Fourthly, as my wife has an African origin, her hair is not as easy to handle as smoothe hair. Thus is it allowed for her to wear a wig or extensions only for me during intercourse? Could you explain in detail as I have read different opinions (from permission to prohibition and curse by ALLAH).

س:  في الماضي في أحد الأيام، وقع في بطني آلام شديدة، و بسبب الخوف الشديد على صحتي، قد أقسمت بالقسم، و تلفظت بمثل هذه الكلمات: "يا ربي إني أقسم لك، لو إنتهت الآلام، أنا كل يوم، سأشتغل بالتهليل، بل بزيادة التهليل، بقدر الممكن." (بعد القليل، إنتهت الآلام) و كنت أكرر هذا القسم بمرات كثيرة، و لكن وقع هذا التكرار في مكان واحد، و في كل مرة عندما أقسمت، كنت قصدت أمرا واحدا و قسما واحد. بل كررت القسم للتشديد فقط. و يصعب حالي بسبب أني قلت: "سأزيد التهليل كل يوم بقدر الممكن." و هذا اللفظ واسع التأويل و  التفسير. و ما كنت قائما بهذا الوعد و القسم أثناء عشرة سنوات، حتى الآن. و ما يترتب على ذلك؟ هل يكفي لي توزيع كفارة اليمين مرة واحدة فقط، و التوبة النصوح إلى الله مرة واحدة؟  إن كان هناك يجب كفارة اليمين لكل يوم من عشرة سنوات - فهذا صعب جدا، بل لا يمكن في حالي الإقتصادي. و لا يمكن أيضا أن أصوم بثلاث أيام متتابعة لكل يوم من عشرة سنوات، لأن ذلك ثلاثون سنوات متتابعة. ما أفعل فيما ذكرت؟ هل يجب علي نفسي التهليل بل الزيادة به كل يوم بقدر الممكن؟ و كيف أشرح على نفسي اللفظ : "بقدر الممكن؟"  ما نصيحتكم لي؟

Q: I do qurbani on behalf of people. lately I found out that the criterion for cattle was minimum 2 years. In the past I slaughtered  a grade cattle which are generally under 2 years. This was done totally unintentional. It was not done to save money as a grade are the most expensive. What is the ruling for the past qurbani as it is difficult to remember how many were made and whether it was nafl or waajib?

Q: Medically, a doctor can stop life-support treatment in the following cases: brain dead, no-hope situation or if the treatment will cause more harm than benefit. Is this permissible to stop treatment on a patient in the above circumstances?

Q: Is organ transplant or donation allowed? if yes, in what circumstances is it permissible/impermissible?

Q: Is contraception allowed in Islam? As a medical practitioner, can one issue contraceptive methods to one’s patient? Often, one interacts with non-Muslims who require contraception. If one is aware that this patient is involved in pre-marital/illicit relationships, is this allowed?

Q: Is termination of pregnancy permissible? if yes, in what circumstances is it allowed and not allowed? As a medical practitioner, one is allowed to refuse to perform an abortion. However, one is required to refer the patient to where it could be performed. Is this allowed?

Q: Although there was no real issue between me and my wife, her daughter had been a problem from day one. However to cut a long story short, My wife stated her reasons why she wanted a divorce and I reluctantly gave her 1 talak with the hope that we could reconcile. I did not want the divorce and still don't. However, she proclaims the marriage is over and now im confused. Can you clarify the situation?

Q: A certain madrasah utilises lillah and zakaat to run its affairs. The zakaat is used to pay the fees of the students of the madrasah and therefore becomes madrasah money. Also the madrasah is under and organisation/board that oversees the running of the madrasah. This organisation/board pays the fees of the ustaads of said madrasah. Besides the activities that are directly involved with running the madrasah, eg: feeding the students, transporting the students to and from the madrasah, lights, water, etc, will it be permissible to use the funds in other avenues which are not directly involved with the taleem and running of the madrasah? Can the madrasah funds be used to buy plane tickets for the ustaads to attend jors in cape town?can the funds be used to book in to hotel rooms if the ustaads are going to teach in a town that is 2 hours away from the madrasah? s it permissible to use the funds in other similar activities as mentioned above? Please explain in detail which avenues will it be permissible to use the funds and what will be the procedure to follow before these funds can be used?

Q: I had a house in my home country (Country A), then moved to another country (Country B) for a long period, but kept my house in Country A. After a while I decided to leave country B and move to a third country (Country C). I left country B permanently, but before going to Country C, I went back to visit my house in Country A, intending to stay there less than 15 days. At this point I didn't have any home apart from my house in Country A, but I, as mentioned, intended to leave soon, and find a place to stay in Country C. My question is: should I have shortened my prayers during the visit of my house in Country A?