Making an effort to learn Deen
Q: If someone sins and they do not know that they need to change, and no one tells them, is the person still accountable and are their actions written as a sin?
Aqaaid
Copying notes of university lectures from a friend
Q: I am studying engineering at a University and have the following questions:
As being physically present at classes is not mandatory, I did not attend these classes (due to laziness). Every lesson is recorded and available on the internet. During the classes the professor writes down some things which the students copy. These lessons are also available online, as you can basically go through the recorded lessons. However, am I allowed to ask a friend of mine who attended the classes to just give me his notes he copied in order to save time, as going through 30-35 recorded lessons (with each having 90 minutes)?
Sitting cross-legged when learning deen due to difficulty
Q: I attend Madrassah for a full day and often find it difficult to sit in the jalsa position for long periods as I start to experience hip and knee pain. I was told sitting cross legged imitates the kufaar and not good etiquette so I avoid sitting that way. I also don't like to lift one leg up as I feel it's disrespectful to have the knee above the desk where the Kitaabs and Quraan are.
What are some permissible ways to sit when acquiring deeni knowledge, this applies to even attending taleem and other programs besides Madrassah... and also, is it permissible for me to use a pillow under my hip (not for salaah) but in a program or in Madrassah?
Supporting Iran since they are 'defending Palestine'
Q: Regarding the current conflicts, is it correct for Muslims to support Iran since they're 'defending Palestine', even though they might be Shia?
Procedure to seek knowledge
Q: Is there a specific way, method or structure to seek knowledge? I have heard that there is a ‘manhaj’ for seeking knowledge but do not know if this is correct.
Engaging in ibaadah to please one's husband
Q: It is understood that a husband gains happiness seeing his wife engaged in ibaadaat without him telling her to. We learn that all ibaadaat should be done solely and only for Allah Ta'ala.
My question is can one engage in ibaadaat with the hope that her husband will see her and feel happy, will one be sinful or is this against ikhlaas?
Showing importance to the Gregorian new year
Q: Are there recommended duas for the gregorian new year, i.e., 1st of January?
Believing in the theory of evolution
Q: If a person does not believe in human evolution, he believes in creation of humans as Islam presents it.
However regarding other life forms on earth, he believes they were evolved guided by Allah, not independent of His guidance. Does he become a kafir? His reasoning is that as far as his understanding goes, Islam is silent on how other species came on earth so one doesn't need to tie one's self to a specific belief.
Does that person becomes a kafir? Please advise.
Women going around to give bayaans
Q: A very concerning matter facing us here in the UK and I believe in many countries. The matter is that some ladies have opened a door of going around place to place to give bayaans. They become speakers and attend as well as put together conferences where they attract audiences based on their skills in language and the ability to deliver an entertaining talk.
Some of them podcast on social media for everyone to listen to. Men have full access to listen to them live or to the saved video recordings. Some of them do so in niqaab and some without.
This oratory by these women has become very appealing to young girls who see this as a goal to achieve in their spiritual growth.
These women openly encourage other ladies to do the same and as a result there are teams of such ladies going around almost like shaikh and mureeds. They attract big followings and people are being misled to believe that the sahabiyaat use to also lecture and advise men in the matters of deen.
They lure young girls with the snare of online quran classes and then lead them to the same desire to be lecturers and hold their own conferences. This has also become a business in the name of deeni efforts. This looks very attractive to modern muslim families that their wives and daughters are getting some kind of exposure to deeni knowledge and it is also very convenient in keeping them busy and as it is said rather keep them off the streets.
Women and girls are also attracted through emotional activities of social and welfare work. In most cases the harms are not immediately apparent.
Should innocent families be warned about this? To what extent should women be allowed to have these kind of lecture conferences? How should people be made aware ? Will appreciate your guidance on this matter
Following the Fuqaha in understanding the Ahaadith
Q: Today salafisim is common. So I have a question.
Many a time hadith are quoted to prove an action or say its incorrect.
Is the Hadith alone sufficient or is the decision the fuqaha made on the Hadith combined more important because one Hadith out of context can lead a person into great fitnah?