Questions of An American Muslim/8

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 8

Can an American Muslim approach the American courts? Can an America Muslim appoint a non-Muslim for a post even though he knows that person is not agreeable to Islam? Can an American Muslim take an oath by the Bible or should he demand that he should be given a copy of the Holy Qur’an to take the oath?

Answer: When there is no other way to obtain ones right and it is only possible through those courts, an American Muslim can approach them.

An American Muslim can appoint a non-Muslims for a secular post provided the position achieved by the latter is not used against Islam or Muslims and the rights of any other person must not have been denied through this appointment. But if it is not so, such an appointment is not allowed.

Since the present books of Jews and Christians are to some extent based on divine teachings though most of it is distorted, even then civility demands that a person who takes an oath on them to be true to his word. But from the Islamic point of view the oath is not binding on him and there is no penalty for breaking this oath

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/7

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 7

In western countries, especially in America the professional and social life has become such that people have to purchase the necessities of life like car and refrigerator etc. on installments. While we know the basis of this system is interest, which is not allowed in Islam. In such a condition what is the way out for an American Muslim?

Answer: The thing haraam in Islam is borrowing or lending money on interest. That is a person takes a loan from another that at the time of repayment he would pay a particular amount etc., it is Riba, interest and it is haraam. And there is no harm in purchasing something on installment, even if the cost of this thing is more than what it would have been if it were paid cash.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/6

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 6

How much Zakat does an American has to pay? And to whom? And how can he calculate the Zakat from his monthly salary?

Answer: There is no Zakat on monthly salary but we should remember that there is another law of taxation in Islam by the name of Khums. Since America is basically an industrial and trading society mostly Zakat is not payable on the excess savings but Khums is payable by them. One who gets a monthly salary and Khums is applicable on his income, it is necessary for him to calculate his yearly income and deduct his yearly expenses. Whatever is the balance amount is taxable for Khums. That is he has to pay 1/5 of this in Islamic treasury.

We should remember that it is necessary that half of this 20% has to be given to poor sayyids who are deprived from Islamic Zakat and the remaining half has to be spent in Islamic benefits by the permission of the Just Mujtahid.

One who gets a monthly salary can also divide the Khums amount and pay it every month.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/5

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 5

Is it necessary for a matured American man who converts to Islam to get him circumcised?

Answer: It is obligatory for a Muslim to get circumcised. If a person embraces Islam after maturity, he is also obliged to get circumcised.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/4

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 4

It is said that if a person recites Kalima Shahadat (formula of faith) that is Ash hadu an laa ilaaha illalLaah wa Ash hadu anna Muhammad-ar-rasululLah. He becomes a Muslim. If this is the only condition of becoming a Muslim, can this be a standard of Muslim? For example how can we consider a person Muslims Who can neither prays nor fasts or gives Zakat. He doesn’t even refrains from the things made haraam by Allah. Aren’t such people Muslims only in name?

Answer: There are many grades of being Muslim. The first is faith in the oneness of Allah and the Prophet hood of the Holy Prophet (S) which the two sentences of Kalima Shahadatain states. The next stages are related to the Islamic rules and regulations and the things which are the cause of everlasting happiness are the good deeds related to the faith.

Therefore if one has the faith in the above-mentioned two principles, that is Tawhidand Nubuwwat but his actions are not in conformity with Islam he will have the rights in the society that are fixed for a Muslim but he cannot be a true Muslim eligible for salvation and the goodness of hereafter.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/3

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 3

Does an American Muslim woman need to wear some special dress for praying in the mosque or her usual dress is sufficient? And if some special dress is necessary, what is the reason for it?

Answer: It is not necessary for Muslim woman that she must wear some special dress. What is necessary is that during prayer she has to cover the complete body except the face hands from wrists onwards.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim/2

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimQuestion 2

In view of the working hours in western countries is it possible to perform the Friday prayer on Thursday evening or on Sunday when people are free? And is it allowed to use musical tones in Mosques?

Answer: Like other Islamic worship acts whose time is fixed the Friday prayer can also be performed in its appointed time, that is on Friday afternoon and it cannot be recited on Thursday, Sunday or any other day or time.

From the Islamic point of view playing musical instruments is not allowed. Therefore in Mosque or any other place the use of musical instruments is not allowed.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Questions of An American Muslim 1

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Questions-of-An-American-MuslimSometime ago an American Muslim had sent us a lot of questions most of whom were informative. Therefore we shall mention the fifteen questions and their replies as follows:

Question 1

In the different states of America there are different law and rules in force for marriage and divorce. But their principles are almost same. Because there is no such Islamic religious representative in America who can register the marriage of Muslims. Therefore in such a condition what is the duty of the Muslims there?

Answer: American Muslims men and women can appoint such a person for themselves who can recite the formula of Nikah and if the counsel recites the formula their marriage shall be Islamic. And if such a person is unavailable they can themselves recite the formula of Nikah and if they cannot recite Arabic they can use English language.

It is not necessary according to the Islamic law that the Mahr (dower) has to fixed at the time of marriage. Even if it is not decided at that time the lady can later on demand reasonable Mehr from her husband. On the basis of this it is necessary to pay the Mehr to the wife but if she likes she can forgo a part or whole of it.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

What is The Ruling about Sports like Boxing?

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Question: Are sports like boxing etc. are haraam in Islam or not? And also those who take it up as a profession and work for it, what is the position of this action of theirs? Is it permitted?

Answer: Basically all those games and physical exercises are permitted that are beneficial to the health and do not cause any danger provided they are not connected to the illegal acts.

Because every dangerous act by which there is a danger to himself or some other person is prohibited from the Islamic point of view and the game of boxing is not without any risk.

Therefore we must refrain from these games. And we all know many young people have lost their lives in boxing and many lives have been lost. On the basis there is no harm if one participates or works for the games which are beneficial to the people and society in general. Other than this all games are illegal.Therefore we must refrain from these games. And we all know many young people have lost their lives in boxing and many lives have been lost. On the basis there is no harm if one participates or works for the games which are beneficial to the people and society in general. Other than this all games are illegal.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Prostrating To The Imam’s Tomb?

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Question: Is it permitted to prostrate to the graves of Imams (a.s)?

Answer: As we have explained in the reply to one question prostration is restricted only for the Almighty Allah and except for Him, whoever it might be, it is not allowed. And if some people do it, it is due to their unfamiliarity of the rules of religion and they should be explained that it is not permitted to prostrate to the Imam or the grave of the Imam.

Also, it should be remembered that prostration on tablets of soil prepared from the soil of the graves of some holy personalities is not the prostration of these holy ones. Rather according to the tradition of Islamic leaders, prostrating to Allah with intention of more humility we must touch our head on the ground or that which grows out of the earth (and not used in eating or it is not a minerals). And the soil of Imam Husain’s (a.s) grave (Khak-e-Shifa) is also that pure soil on which Imam Husain (a.s) camped for revival of Islam. On the basis of this it has attained a great merit.

Especially when a person prostrate on a tablet of the soil of Kerbala, it renews for him the remembrance of the sacrifice of Imam Husain Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s). And it invites the pure souls to follow the lofty exemplar and makes their feelings of sacrifice and faith stronger.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani