Miscellaneous

Respecting one's parents and overlook their shortcomings

Q: I am a divorcee but I gathered my strength to marry again without asking opinion of my parents but they were there for my marriage and became wakil also but this marriage did not last long. Allah knows best even though I looked for deen in the partner but my main problem is my parents abusing me calling me a person of low character because according to them a divorcee shouldn't marry. I work for my livelihood I go out of the house even though I haven't committed any affairs my parents are accusing me of such things and cursing me. This has upset me they attribute bad things happening in my life that I have committed sins and it is wrath of Allah on me. I don't know how to deal with my parents because Allah has ordered for respecting and being dutiful them I want to ask have parents got the right to abuse and curse their children without any proof accuse of sins.

Stopping someone from committing zina

Q: Would I be wrong if I anonymously tip off my ex-employer to investigate a suspected relationship between a CEO and collegue at my old place of work? The reason I ask is to try and end a relationship that I suspect my sister in-law is having with a CEO at my previous workplace. He is a married man...his wife is still in SA, while he is working in Namibia. We are Muslim, what does Islam advise regarding suspicion of zina?

Taking pictures of the deceased and sharing it with family who cannot attend

Q: What does Islam say about taking pictures of someone who has passed away. For example, if someone has passed away in another country and the family can't attend the funeral, is it permissible to take pictures of the person who has passed away and/or the funeral to share with only the family of the deceased? 

Taking gelatine for medicinal purposes

Q: I have severe knee pain and joints problem so I need to use gelatine for cure but there is no gelatine which is halaal. There is a gelatine which says kosher. Please guide whether I can consume this as a medicine or not? Then there is agar agar gelatine which comes from sea weeds but it does not help with joint repair. Please help me with this matter. Otherwise I'll have to go for cartilage repair surgery. 

Using medication containing ethanol

Q: I am 24 years old and suffer from pcos which is a common hormonal condition in women of reproductive age. It affects people differently. In my case I have it quite severely, excessive facial and body hair, unexplained weight gain and balding of the scalp. Alhumdulilah, through medication and diet I have tackled the first two issues, however the baldness is hard to treat medically. I have seen specialists and they have put me through medication that helps a little but I am still losing my hair. It makes me really sad and anxious. I was told by my gynaecologist to buy this product called regaine which will inshallah make the hair grow back in the places where I have bald spots. I went to buy it today but saw that it had ethanol in it and I was weary whether or not I can pray with this on, so I didn't purchase it. Is it permissible to use this product that contains ethanol, it goes on the scalp.

Invitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Q: My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 6 years to no avail. We have seen specialists, been on medication, had surgery and have observed fasts and dhikrs, duas. We have been told by our current specialist that IVF (invitro fertilisation) is our last resort. We have read and heard from many sources that it is permissable as long as extra precaution is taken to ensure that the correct sperm and eggs are mixed to implant into the uterus, however we have also heard that this procedure may be haraam. Is this permissable, if carried out by an Islamic run fertility centre, under a Muslim fertility specialist. Your advise is highly appreciated.