Salaah

Ruling regarding a khunsa (hermaphrodite)

Q: There is a person who is a khunsa (hermaphrodite), but classified as a man now due to beard, urination etc. But he originally had two private parts. He does not have any attraction to any gender.

1. Is this person considered a khunsa or a man?

2. Is his imaamat of men valid? Or makrooh or what

3. Can a mukhannas be an imam?

From what I understand that it is a man but with womenly movements and speech

Giving preference to performing salaah with jamaat in the Musjid

Q: I received a message wherein the following Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was mentioned:

Hazrat Anas bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “If food is served and the Iqaamah for salaah is given, then start with the food.”

The question that I wish to ask is that if one is at home and partaking of meals or one is at a function (e.g. waleemah or a braai etc.) and the food is being served, and the jamaat salaah in the musjid is about to commence, then what should a person do? Should one give preference to partaking of the food or should one attend the jamaat salaah in the musjid, as we have understood from this hadith that one should give preference to the food?

Giving money to a student to assist him in his studies for the missed fast and salaah of one's father

Q: Dad was ill in hospital and shortly after he got admitted he passed away. He did not give wasiyat for his missed fast and salaah, so I've taken it upon myself to fulfil some sort of kaffarah (fidyah) on his behalf, and insha'allah Allah will accept.

In terms of spending the kaffarah (fidyah), there is a young baligh male who is from a poor family and needs to sort out his final year of studies in order for him to get his degree/diploma in order to move forward with his life.

Is it possible for me to give him the money or a 3rd party who is currently financially responsible for his payments to pay off his final year of studies?

Imaam making intention of fardh salaah after starting the salaah

Q: I was the imam in a salaah while travelling, a few other travellers also stopped, joined us and we performed salaah.

We had departed after Fajr, and had decided we will stop for Zohr at this location. After stopping we had meals etc. made wudhu and went to perform salaah.

At the time of starting the 2 rakaat jamaat salaah, I don't remember having a definite intention of performing Zohr Salah itself, although it was for this very reason we stopped. After saying the takbir the thought came into my mind that what salah am I performing? Is it Asr? Then I immediately realised no its Zohr.

After salaah I mentioned this to an alim there who said its fine, since we stopped for that very reason so "ilm" was evident, and "amal" as well was evident. When these two are found then this is sufficient, its not necessary to make the specific intention before salah.

1. Is this correct? Is the salah valid?

2. If it is invalid, what should one do when the musallis behind one cannot be traced?

Musaafir staying in different suburbs for few days each

Q: If I travel from Johannesburg to Durban for 20 days, but stay at different suburbs in Durban for a few days each, e.g. Musgrave, Sherwood, Overport, Clare Estate, Westville, etc.

1. Would I be a musafir?

2. What is considered in determining whether a place is considered as one or two different places? E.g. Is it based on the city name, suburb, physical break in buildings, etc?