Boycotting Israel

Q: I have done research about boycotting Israel. I have found that if you buying products of which you know a percentage of the profit is given to the Israeli government, then you are actually paying to kill a Palestinian. I feel guilty of murder. What is muftionline.co.za's view in this matter? Should we boycott?

Women going to universities

Q: I am going to university, boys and girls both are coming there. Actually I am wearing burqa and I want to cover my face. But because of long time like 7 hours, it seems difficult for me. In that case can I open my face only? May I open my face at lunch time in the canteen? I am taking my lunch with girls only.

Muslim organisation purchasing a building for Da'wah purposes

Q: A Muslim Association is hoping to purchasing a building for dawah; with a view to run a madrasah, a welfare centre and also a salaah room (musjid) therein. The property is intended to be an endowment (waqf), eventually. However, we have no funds to pay for this building, as yet. A couple of brothers have offered to buy the building (using their own money) and give it to the Association on favourable rent, until the Association is able to collect the necessary funds and pay for the building, outright. In order to save on the property registry costs, the financiers have agreed that the building can be registered in the Association's name at the first purchase while they will retain the ownership through a private agreement that if the Association failed to raise the funds and buy it within a ten years period, the Association will have to sell the property and the proceeds will go to the brothers who paid for it. But hopefully the Association will be able to raise charity funds and pay for the building, the private agreement will come to an end and the Association will declare the property a charitable endowment. They also agree to sell half the building ownership to the Association on half the payment and proportional ownership for proportional capital in the building at anytime during the ten years. However, some brothers are disputing this arrangement and feel that the official registration will make the Association the owner, despite the price being paid by two private individuals. They say that any rent paid by the Association will in fact be 'interest' on the 'loan'. They are asking the brothers to give their money as a goodly loan with no return for the ten years but the financiers are unable to do this. Please clarify the following points in the light of shariah;

1. Is a partnership between a charity Association and private individuals impermissible in shariah?

2. Does the registry document make the ownership in shariah or it belongs to whoever has paid for the property?

3. Does a building become a charity endowment (waqf) on the basis of a 'future' intention, even before it has been bought or while it is in private ownership or shared private ownership?

4. Will any rent or partial rent paid to the private individuals (for their share in ownership) be 'halal' rent or 'haram' interest?

5. Is it permissible to setup a masjid room in a rented or in a shared ownership premises?

6. Is it excusable to embarrass someone with a request for goodly loan after they have made an investment proposal (seeking a modest return, almost half the income their capital is currently providing)?

Please clarify these points in detail as any remaining confusion will cause us difficulty. Kindly suggest any ways to overcome any mistakes commonly made in such partnerships. If it is permissible to raise finance through private partnership, as described above, we will be able to buy this property and receive the future goodness, inshaAllah. However, if it is not permissible, through your help, Allah Subhanahu will protect us from being sinful. Jazakumullaho Khaira.

Leaving university and doing Aalimah course

Q: I am 19 years of age. I started University in 2014, which I didn't really enjoy much because I don't know why but I had a strong feeling to study Aalimah course. I know this is hidayat from Allah Ta'ala. I cried and cried because I wanted to study Alimah instead of university, however it was too late as it was October time. I didn't know what to do and I really wanted to do Aalimah course, so I started tajweed course Alhamdulillah. Due to not having much interest in my university studies, I failed my course. I prayed to Allah to accept me back to University but unfortunately I didn't receive the place. I prayed to Almighty to please gain me a place, and I was very very upset. Slowly I started to realise that everything happens for a reason, and now I have no objections to my creator, but sometimes I feel guilt to myself that I could have tried harder at University, but then I feel maybe my Allah wrote it that way. I can't stop my tears falling in sujood and sometimes wonder why all this happened to me, but then I pray to Allah and I have a beautiful feeling that one day Allah will reveal everything which I have gone through. Currently, I attend tajweed class. I am so happy because I have become a much more pious girl, and I never imagined that I would attend tajweed classes and become so devoted to Allah Ta'ala. I know I only do tajweed classes at the moment, but I'm happy this way. I do feel I could have started Aalimah this year but Insha Allah if Allah has written it I will. However I feel like I am studying Aalimah course by doing tajweed course. I always wanted to go uni, but I don't know what happened at uni - I just hated it and felt like it's not for me. Maybe Allah is testing me right now, and I do pray Insha Allah, Allah might give me a place at Uni again, and I have put everything in Allah's hand so I know he will take care of me and do what's best for me Insha Allah. Please can you suggest me what I could do? I am definitely going to carry on with my tajweed course. I am worried because I am still 19 and I haven't yet started my career. I never thought it will go this way.

Previous nikaah breaking through accepting Islam

Q: I hope you can help with this question. I am a revert Muslim, I was previously married. When I was a Christian even back then my marriage with my Christian husband is in trouble, we have a very rocky marriage. When I accepted Islam, I tried to talk to him about Islam. At first he seemed to be ok with my new religion but as the years go by he demonstrated so much hate with my religion, he does not want me to practice my religious rites and beliefs and demanded me to return back to Christianity to which I object. I ask him for a separation since then which he accepts but lately when I contacted him for my wish to have an annulment. He suddenly objected to it. I wanted to marry a very good Muslim man who proposed to me because I see this man to be lawful and obedient to Islamic law. My question is am I allowed to marry this Muslim man according to Sharia law? I have read so many articles regarding this. I am confused. My Ex-husband is preventing me to practise Islam and even called my religion as devil. I don't want to be with him anymore because of this issue and many more. What is the Sharia ruling on this? I hope you can guide me.

Combining Salaahs

Q: I am giving exams when I depart from my home. It's Zohar time so I offer it but when I arrive at my home, it's maghrib time so can I offer Asr Salaah at Zohar time or at Maghrib time?