Miscellaneous

Q: Can a man have a vasectomy? 

He and his wife have both agreed this is the best way forward because they do not want anymore kids and she does not want to go on any medication or injection. Is a vasectomy allowed in Islam?

Q: A church hosts a gala once a year and my helper who is part of the church asked me if I can I cook for them and they will pay me. Is this permissible? I will not enter the church or go near there.

Q: I request clarification on the reason for karahat in freeing a slave on behalf of someone.

In ‘Uqood al-Jawahir, the sharh of Ashbah, an explanation is given regarding why freeing a slave for the sake of someone is considered makrooh. It explains that when one frees a slave out of honour, gratitude, or veneration for someone, it may resemble an act of worship, which is exclusive to Allah Ta‘ala, and hence makrooh or even impermissible. 

Would like to know: 

1. Is this explanation found in any mu‘tabar fiqh books? 

2. What is the exact ruling of freeing a slave in the name or honour of someone? 

3. Is there a distinction in ruling between expressing gratitude and actual intent of ibadah in such cases? 

Your guidance, along with references from classical fiqh sources, will be highly appreciated.

Q: About 7–8 years ago, when I was newly married (around 1 year of marriage), my husband suggested we do arm-wrestling for fun. With his permission, I also did arm-wrestling with his four brothers. At that time, I did not feel any lust or desire from my side at all. 

I noticed that the brothers looked a bit excited, which could have been because they had never held a woman’s hand before but now I am worried. What if they might have felt lust at that time, 1 of them asked for a re match even though I lost from all of them but I said no 1 time is enough now I cannot ask them directly as it would be very embarrassing and it was almost a decade ago. Now I do proper hijab and cover my face too. 

My question is: Does this cause hurmat-e-musaharat, and is my nikah still valid? 

I also suffer from waswas (intrusive doubts) in religious matters, so I want clarity and peace of mind.

Q: A new trend which we are seeing at the moment is the trend of padel tournaments. Teams pay an admission fee to participate in the tournament, and the winning team receives a prize e.g. plane tickets or a cash amount. 

Are these tournaments permissible?

Q: I was married for about a year I asked for a divorce because my husband used to hug his female cousins and cousins wives despite me telling him Islamically it is not right. He accepted it was not right but did not stop and his family defended it because they always did it so basically 'culture'. After the divorce I did my best to guide him but all doors felt close was Allah protecting me? Also will I get sin for asking for a divorce? I ask because his family did not feel its a big issue to get divorced over.