customs

Q: There is a tradition when the bride's parents go to the groom's house for discussion, they leave the bride at home. The groom, his parents, bride's parents, everyone are present in the discussion related to marriage, except the bride. The bride is not even allowed to see her in laws house before marriage.

I feel all these rules are made by the society to deprieve a woman of her rights. Since it is her marriage, the bride should be allowed to be present during the discussions, just like the boy. And she should be allowed to see her in laws house before marriage, as she will be spending her entire life there. I am getting married soon, so I just want to know if visiting the groom's house with parents and taking part in discussions, will not be against Islam.

Q: I have a question to ask on behalf of a friend of mine. She told me that her fathers brother had passed away and now for three weeks in a row her father is making her do something called amal-e-haziraat. She was blindfolded on a prayer mat with candles around her and a friend of her fathers read something through the phone and blew it and she was told to imagine herself in a place. She saw a big golden gate and she saw a man with a white face. She couldn't really see the face. Then she was asked to ask the man to show her her uncle. She saw her uncle and her uncle didnt want to speak to her. After that she fainted, and since the first time she has done this, she has been getting really depressed and she sees her uncles face wherever she goes. While she was sitting in her room she could see her uncles face in 7 different places in the room. She is really worried now, she cant pray anymore or concentrate in her prayer. She is still young and her father has said he is making her do it because she is still young and has a better brain. Her mother is against it and her dad has told her strictly not to mention this to anyone. She has done this once and she has to do this 2 more times. She has to go to her uncles grave, now she really wants to know what this is, and the only reason she is doing this is because of her father. 

Q: I have an important concern in which I need a clarification from you please. I will explain you the scenario first for your understanding. Two Nikaahs. The first one is mine, the Nikkah is completely based on Sunnah which is insha Allah will be very simple and with proper mahar, this nikkah commences on the first day night of the second nikkah which is going to happen on the second day noon. The second day nikkah is for my sister. This nikaah is also with proper mahar and no dowry, but this Nikaah is done based on the traditions that take place in our place with Kuthbas and fatiha by the imaams and they recite Alli kuth bainama in the kuthba which here local scholars confirming this as bida'h. So on this second day my sisters husband is arranging a waleema in which he does not collect single penny from his wife's family. My question is can I Share my waleema with him? I mean, I need to give waleema right? Can me and my sister's husband share financially and give waleema to our family and relatives. Is this bida'h? Please I need your valuable input based on Shariah Sheik.

Q: With the escalation in the use of social media we find that people often put up status messages or post pictures with a message addressing a deceased person. For example, a person would post "We miss You, Dad" or "last year this time you were with us" etc. etc. Is this permissible in Islam?

Q: Is it established anywhere that when a baby is born that the fathers sister needs to give out something? Many times you find people give out sweet platters to family members when a child is born. Is this practiced in Islam or is it just customary?

Q: Is it necessary to fold the corner of the jahe namaaz when it is not being used? I have heard some people say it is an innovation but most of my relatives do it.

Q: Is custom duty at airports permissible? My son is planing to ask someone to bring two laptops from US to Saudia.