Miscellaneous

Q: Is it permissible to place a plant in the bathroom as they make Zikr?

Q: I want to build a professional Instagram profile for networking, career growth, and attracting business clients. To build this image, my pictures will naturally show my lifestyle, including how I dress and the nice places I visit. I previously avoided this out of fear of Riya (showing off) and Nazar (the evil eye). If my intention is purely professional and not to boast, is it permissible to share these lifestyle photos? How do I draw the line between presenting a good image and showing off?

Q: If one has ptosis (an eye condition one is born with one small eye and one big eye due to excess skin on the eyelid) and this condition affects one's vision and sometimes causes abit of irritation, like it feels heavy and also looks abit strange, is surgery permissible?

Q: My questions concern the notion of pride in Islam. I would like to clarify that I am a man, and I apologize for the length of my questions. 

I would like to know whether pride is permissible in Islam—pride without arrogance, while being aware that it is Allah who provides. For example, is it permissible for me to tell my younger brother that I am proud of him for passing his exams? 

From what I understand, pride in one’s ancestors, origins, and ‘asabiyyah is haraam. In parallel, Allah the Most High says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13) However, if this pride is not accompanied by arrogance or a feeling of superiority over other lineages and origins, is it permissible? I am obviously referring to Muslim ancestors of our origin, not disbelieving ancestors. Is it permissible to be proud of their history, their courage and bravery in fighting in the path of Allah, their good character, their way of dressing, their traditional craftsmanship, and to promote this pride among members of my people? 

Likewise, is it permissible to be proud of one’s culture of origin—clothing, traditional food, craftsmanship, way of life, etc.—and to promote this pride among one’s people and encourage them to preserve certain cultural elements? I am referring here only to permissible customs. I would also like to clarify that I appreciate seeing Muslims from other backgrounds being proud (without arrogance or a sense of superiority) of their cultures. For example, I appreciate seeing Arabs being proud and encouraging other Gulf Arabs to wear the shemagh/ghutra, or Afghans/Desi people wearing turbans and the salwar kameez. I mention this to show that my feeling is not limited to my own people, but applies to all Muslims without distinction. I also believe this can help counter the homogenization caused by the westernization of Muslim societies. If this is permissible, but this cultural pride is tied to the fact that we consider it the heritage of our (Muslim) ancestors, is it still permissible? 

Finally, is it permissible to feel proud (without showing off, arrogance, or a sense of superiority) that people recognize my origin based on the clothing I wear when I travel (for a few days, not long-term) or during celebrations such as Eid (I live in a multicultural place where such clothing is not considered لباس الشهرة)?

Q: If a person who was involved in the sin of sihr and black magic wants to make a sincere taubah for this wrong, then how must he get the complete forgiveness of Allah?

Q: Phenylethylalcohol - if it's in a nasal spray for allergies (that I can live without) can I use it, according to hanafis?

Q: I am a Muslim woman and have a permanently damaged toenail due to trauma. Although it is not causing physical problems, the appearance of the nail causes me significant embarrassment and distress and affects my confidence. 

I am getting married soon and would like to know whether it is permissible to use a cosmetic toenail reconstruction or similar treatment to restore the appearance of the damaged nail. My intention is not simply beautification, but to conceal and correct a defect that resulted from injury and that causes me considerable emotional distress. 

If such a treatment forms a layer over the nail, how would this affect the validity of wudu? Is there any allowance in this situation, or would it need to be removed for wudu?

Q: Some Muslim women appear on YouTube clips quoting Quraan and Hadeeth. Please comment on this issue.