Most-asked
Most-asked questions
The questions people put to South African Darul Iftas most often — 293 of them, each answered in the Darul Iftas’ own words, quoted from the fatawa and linked to the full answers.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
Asked most often
- What does Islam say about dreams and their meaning?
- What are the Islamic guidelines for intimacy in marriage?
- Which du'as are there for marriage, rizq and needs?
- How do I make up missed salaah (qadha)?
- Which sunnah salaah are emphasised (muakkadah)?
- Are photographs and taking pictures permissible?
- Who are a woman's mahrams?
- What words or acts take a person out of Islam?
- What should be recited in each rak'ah?
- Is the niqaab (face veil) compulsory?
- Is insurance permissible?
- How is ghusl (the obligatory bath) performed?
Beliefs & Aqeedah
- What does Islam say about dreams and their meaning?1,803
- What words or acts take a person out of Islam?447
- Must I follow one madhab (taqleed)?301
- How does a person accept Islam, and what then?226
- What are the signs of Qiyamah, the Mahdi and Dajjal?167
- What should I do about black magic (sihr)?153
- What should and should not be done in Muharram?148
- How do I deal with waswasah (doubts in faith or worship)?139
- What does Islam say about jinn?119
- What counts as bid'ah (innovation)?87
- Is wearing a ta'weez permissible?69
- How does one protect against the evil eye (nazar)?61
- Are horoscopes, star signs and palm reading permissible?44
- Is celebrating the Mawlid (Milad) permissible?40
- Is making du'a through the means of the pious (tawassul) permissible?25
Taharah & Wudu
- How is ghusl (the obligatory bath) performed?381
- What breaks wudhu?205
- Can I make masah on socks or leather socks (khuffs)?187
- Does vaginal discharge break wudhu?150
- How does a woman with irregular bleeding (istihaadha) pray?145
- Is a dog's saliva impure? Can I keep a dog?141
- What should I do after a wet dream?126
- What may a woman not do during her menses?81
- Must a woman make up salaah missed during her menses?72
- What are the rules of istinja and toilet etiquette?71
- How long is nifaas (post-natal bleeding)?71
- When and how is tayammum made?65
- Can I use perfume or sanitiser with alcohol?55
- Is salaah valid with impurity on the clothes?47
- Is wudhu valid with nail polish or henna?44
- What if drops of urine come out after wudhu?26
- Can wudhu be made in a bathroom with a toilet?21
- Is wudhu valid with make-up, false lashes or plasters?20
Salah & Masjid
- How do I make up missed salaah (qadha)?591
- Which sunnah salaah are emphasised (muakkadah)?533
- What should be recited in each rak'ah?442
- What are the rules of the azaan and iqaamah?353
- Who must attend Jumu'ah, and what if I miss it?316
- When does a traveller shorten salaah (qasr)?239
- How is salaatul istikhaarah performed?237
- When do Fajr and Esha times start and end?225
- How many raka'at is taraweeh?211
- How is witr salaah performed?169
- Can I pray salaah on a chair?161
- Should women pray in the masjid?124
- How and when is tahajjud performed?122
- Can I pray fardh salaah at home instead of the masjid?113
- How do I find the qiblah direction?104
- Who should lead the salaah as imam?97
- Is salaah valid in tight clothes, shorts or with sleeves rolled up?88
- Should the follower recite Surah Fatiha behind the imam?86
- How do I pray at work, school or university?74
- What is qunoot and when is it read?73
- How is Eid salaah performed?69
- When is sajdah sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) needed?68
- Where should the hands be placed in salaah?65
- How do I pray on a plane, ship or train?59
- Can I pray with shoes or socks on?44
- Is it sinful to pass in front of someone praying?36
- Can I combine prayers when travelling?32
- How is salaatul tasbeeh performed?10
- What is sunnah on the day of Eid?8
Fasting & Ramadan
- How do I make up missed fasts, and when is kaffarah due?228
- What breaks the fast?217
- What are the rules of i'tikaaf?172
- What is the ruling on intercourse while fasting?127
- Should I fast on the day of Ashura?106
- How much is fidyah for missed fasts and salaah?105
- When does sehri end and iftar begin?86
- Is there a special fast or worship on the 15th of Sha'baan?59
- Must a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fast?53
- Should we follow local moon-sighting or Saudi Arabia?48
- Who is excused from fasting because of illness or old age?46
- Can I brush my teeth or use toothpaste while fasting?41
- Which voluntary fasts are recommended?41
- What is the virtue of the six fasts of Shawwal?38
- Do injections or a drip break the fast?33
- Should Muslims follow the Hijri calendar?28
- When is Laylatul Qadr and how should it be spent?8
Zakat & Charity
- What is the difference between lillah, sadaqah and zakaat?228
- Is zakaat payable on savings and cash?207
- Do debts reduce zakaat, and is zakaat due on money owed to me?125
- Is zakaat payable on property and rental income?123
- Can I give zakaat to relatives?110
- How much is sadaqatul fitr and when is it paid?98
- How is zakaat on gold calculated?95
- How is the zakaat date worked out?90
- Is zakaat payable on shares and investments?87
- Is zakaat payable on jewellery?75
- What is the nisaab of zakaat?71
- Who is eligible to receive zakaat?71
- How is zakaat calculated on business stock?47
- Can zakaat be given to a masjid or madrasah?45
- Is zakaat payable on pension, provident fund or retirement annuity?41
- What if I did not pay zakaat for past years?33
- Can zakaat be paid in advance or in instalments?28
Hajj & Umrah
- What is forbidden in ihraam?362
- What are the rules of tawaaf?223
- Can a woman go for hajj or umrah without a mahram?177
- How is umrah performed?135
- What is the ruling on visiting Madinah and the Rawdah?81
- When does hajj become fardh, and can I go with debt?59
- What should a woman do if her menses start during umrah or hajj?56
- How much hair must be cut to leave ihraam?47
- What is hajj badal (hajj on someone's behalf)?26
- When is dam (a sacrifice penalty) due in hajj or umrah?19
Qurbani & Aqiqah
- How is aqeeqah done, and is it compulsory?143
- Who must do qurbaani?60
- Can qurbaani be made on behalf of the deceased or Rasulullah ﷺ?49
- How should qurbaani meat be distributed?41
- When is takbeer-e-tashreeq recited?30
- Should I not cut my hair and nails before qurbaani?24
- What age and condition must the qurbaani animal be?20
- Can I do qurbaani overseas or through an organisation?18
Marriage
- What are the Islamic guidelines for intimacy in marriage?633
- Is having a boyfriend or girlfriend haraam?336
- Are mehndi, wedding receptions and other customs permissible?214
- What maintenance (nafaqah) must a husband provide?197
- What is needed for a valid nikah?184
- Can a Muslim marry a non-Muslim, Christian or Jew?177
- How much should the mahr be?172
- Can I talk to my fiancée before the nikah?169
- What are the rules for taking a second wife?159
- Can I marry without my parents' consent?113
- Is a secret nikah valid?101
- Is marrying a cousin permissible?69
- Can a Sunni marry a Shia?45
- What are a husband's rights over his wife?26
- What is the sunnah way to hold a walimah?24
- What are a wife's rights in Islam?15
Divorce & Iddah
- How long is the iddah after divorce?266
- Do three talaqs in one sitting count as three?210
- How does a wife get a khula?178
- Who gets custody of the children after divorce?93
- How does a husband take his wife back after talaaq?84
- Is a civil (court) divorce a valid talaaq?70
- Is a conditional talaaq ('if you do this you are divorced') valid?70
- Is talaaq by text, WhatsApp or email valid?63
- Is talaaq given in anger valid?58
- What are the rules of iddah after the husband's death?28
- Can a woman leave the house during iddah?12
Family, Women & Children
- Who are a woman's mahrams?464
- How should I choose a name for my child?266
- Is it permissible for a woman to work?147
- Can a woman travel or drive without a mahram?145
- What are the Islamic rules on adoption?124
- Must I obey my parents in everything?112
- What does Islam say about disciplining children?33
- Can I cut ties with relatives who harm me?15
Business & Finance
- Is insurance permissible?392
- What should I do with bank interest?320
- Is working in graphic design, IT or marketing permissible?222
- Is it permissible to avoid paying tax?137
- Are pension funds and retirement annuities permissible?135
- How should profit and loss be shared in a partnership?132
- Is using a credit card permissible?121
- Are lotto, raffles and competitions permissible?114
- Is taking a home loan (bond) permissible?110
- Is taking commission as an agent permissible?96
- Can I sell items that may be used for haraam?93
- Is Islamic banking halaal?92
- What are the Islamic rules on returns and refunds?88
- Are life insurance and funeral policies permissible?81
- Is trading in shares halaal?73
- Is forex trading halaal?72
- Is buying a car on finance permissible?70
- Is medical aid permissible?69
- Is car insurance permissible when it is compulsory?65
- Can a Muslim work as an accountant or auditor?58
- Is working in a bank permissible?57
- Can I work where alcohol or pork is served?48
- Is paying a bribe ever permissible?43
- Is earning money online (YouTube, apps, surveys) permissible?40
- Is working as a lawyer or attorney permissible?34
- Is a student loan permissible?33
- What are the Islamic rules for lending money?31
- Is working as a photographer or videographer permissible?31
- Is buying on instalments or lay-by permissible?30
- Is cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) halaal?28
- Is online selling (Amazon, Takealot) permissible?28
- Is investing in property permissible?25
- Is network marketing (MLM) permissible?22
- What should I do with lost money or property I found?17
- Is dropshipping permissible?16
- Are unit trusts, ETFs and Sharia funds permissible?12
- What are the rules for rental deposits?11
- Can a business charge a late-payment penalty?9
- Is there a limit on profit when selling?8
Food, Halal & Slaughter
- Can I eat at non-Muslim restaurants?93
- Is seafood halaal in the Hanafi madhab?90
- Can Muslims eat frog, crocodile or other unusual animals?88
- Is gelatine halaal?62
- Can I eat food from a non-Muslim's function or home?52
- Is food containing alcohol halaal?46
- Is crab or lobster halaal?41
- Are prawns halaal?40
- Is hunting permissible, and is game meat halaal?34
- Is vinegar halaal?32
- Is cheese with rennet halaal?32
- Is meat slaughtered by Christians or Jews halaal?28
- Is stunning before slaughter permissible?27
- Are E-numbers and food additives halaal?25
- Are duck, ostrich and other birds halaal?22
- Is calamari (squid) halaal?20
- Is non-alcoholic beer halaal?16
- Is machine-slaughtered chicken halaal?15
- Are kombucha and fermented drinks halaal?15
- Is eating with the left hand sinful?14
- Can I rely on halaal certification?12
- Is rabbit halaal?12
- Is sushi halaal?8
- Is horse meat halaal?8
- What if Bismillah was not said when slaughtering?8
Inheritance & Wills
- How do I make an Islamic will (wasiyyah)?117
- Can I gift my property to my children during my lifetime?81
- Why do sons and daughters inherit different shares?59
- Do grandchildren inherit if their parent died first?44
- Do adopted or step-children inherit?38
- Is a pension or insurance payout part of the estate?26
- Can a Muslim inherit from a non-Muslim relative?15
- How does community of property affect a Muslim estate?12
- Can the distribution of an estate be delayed?10
Dress, Beard & Adornment
- Is the niqaab (face veil) compulsory?406
- What is the length of the beard in Islam?298
- Is wearing make-up permissible?224
- What hair should be removed, and is waxing or laser allowed?120
- Must trousers be above the ankles?117
- Can men wear gold, silk or a silver ring?114
- Is dyeing hair black permissible?113
- Is wearing a topi or turban sunnah?112
- Is plucking or threading the eyebrows permissible?111
- Can women wear pants, jeans or fitted clothing?106
- Are tattoos and body piercings permissible?100
- Are wigs and hair extensions permissible?53
- Can men wear shorts, jeans or Western clothes?50
- Can a woman cut her hair short?37
- What if my employer does not allow a beard or topi?17
- Can women wear perfume outside the home?15
Death & Janazah
- Can I gift the reward of Qur'an recitation to the deceased (esaal-e-thawaab)?212
- What is the sunnah way to visit graves? Is urs permissible?150
- How is janaazah salaah performed?144
- What is the Islamic ruling on suicide?81
- How is the deceased bathed and shrouded?67
- Can women attend funerals or visit graves?46
- Can burial be delayed, or a coffin be used?19
- How long may family members mourn?18
- Are tombstones and building on graves permissible?16
Quran, Hadith & Dua
- Which du'as are there for marriage, rizq and needs?614
- Can I read the Qur'an in translation only?189
- What if a haafiz forgets the Qur'an?166
- Is ruqyah (reciting for healing) permissible?149
- Can weak (da'eef) ahaadith be acted upon?133
- Can I touch or read the Qur'an without wudhu?77
- How should old copies of the Qur'an be disposed of?70
- Is collective du'a after fardh salaah permissible?69
- Is it disrespectful to write Allah's name on items?68
- Can I read the Qur'an from a phone without wudhu?54
- Is counting zikr on beads or an electronic counter permissible?21
- What are the sunnahs of sleeping?11
Social, Media & Ethics
- Are photographs and taking pictures permissible?466
- Is listening to music haraam? What about nasheeds?251
- Is going to a gym or playing sport permissible?233
- Is watching TV, movies or series permissible?231
- Can Muslims keep pets such as cats and dogs?205
- Can Muslims celebrate or greet for Christmas, Diwali or Halloween?155
- Is telling a white lie ever permissible?126
- Is celebrating birthdays permissible?104
- Is using social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) permissible?104
- Are dolls, toys with faces and statues permissible?82
- Are video games permissible?72
- What counts as backbiting (gheebah)?61
- How should I greet non-Muslims?44
- Is free mixing between men and women permissible?44
- What are the rules on harming or putting down animals?39
- Is yoga or meditation permissible?36
- Can I shake hands with the opposite gender?33
- Can I attend a non-Muslim's funeral, wedding or church service?24
- Is reciting or listening to the Qur'an with music permissible?21
Medical & Health
- Are vaccines and medicines with haraam ingredients permissible?200
- What does Islam say about depression and seeking therapy?190
- Is smoking haraam?164
- When is abortion permissible?153
- Is contraception or family planning permissible?151
- Is IVF or fertility treatment permissible?111
- Are CBD oil and cannabis permissible?62
- Is cremation or organ donation permissible?58
- Is circumcision compulsory, and at what age?52
- Is cosmetic surgery permissible?51
- Can I see a doctor of the opposite gender?30
- Is blood donation or transfusion permissible?24