... who pays it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it. He said they are all the same. (Narrated by Muslim).

 ... Whoever is unable to work and is poor is allowed to ask for help, and to take...

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Praise be to Allah.

Firstly: ribaa (interest, usury) is haraam wherever it exists and whatever form it takes. It is haraam for both the owner of the capital and whoever borrows it from him with interest, whether the borrower is rich or poor. Both are guilty of sin and indeed both of them are cursed. Whoever helps them in that, the one who writes down the contract and the one who witnesses it are also cursed, because of the general meaning of the aayahs and sound ahaadeeth which indicate that it is haraam. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Those who eat Ribaa will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaytaan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: Trading is only like Ribaa, whereas Allaah has permitted trading and forbidden Ribaa. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribaa, shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allaah (to judge); but whoever returns (to Ribaa), such are the dwellers of the Fire they will abide therein.

Allaah will destroy Ribaa and will give increase for Sadaqaat (deeds of charity, alms). And Allaah likes not the disbelievers, sinners [al-Baqarah 2: 275-276]

Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Gold is to be paid for by gold, silver by silver, barley by barley, dates by dates, like by like, payment being made hand to hand. He who made an addition to it, or asked for an addition, in fact dealt in usury [ribaa]. (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh).

 It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes ribaa, the one who pays it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it. He said they are all the same. (Narrated by Muslim).

 ... Whoever is unable to work and is poor is allowed to ask for help, and to take zakaah and social security.

 Secondly: The Muslim, whether he is rich or poor, is not allowed to take a loan from the bank at 5% or 15 % or more or less, because that is ribaa and is a major sin. Allaah has caused him to have no need of that because of the ways that He has prescribed such as means of earning a halaal income by working as an employee for company owners, or as a civil servant in permissible work, or by dealing with the money of another on a profit-sharing basis.

(Source: IslamQA)

... "two Children"; this means that they have not yet reached the age of puberty. If this is the case, then they are Muslims and not non-Muslims as you assumed. A young child is not considered non-Muslim as long as one of his parents is a Muslim....

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger. First of all, you said that you have "two Children"; this means that they have not yet reached the age of puberty. If this is the case, then they are Muslims and not non-Muslims as you assumed. A young child is not considered non-Muslim as long as one of his parents is a Muslim. Al-Mawsoo'ah Al-Fiqhiyyah (The Encyclopedia of Fiqh) reads: "Muslim jurists have unanimously agreed that if a father embraces Islam and has young children, or someone who is legally like them, such as an insane child who has reached puberty, then they are considered Muslims, as a consequence of the father. The majority of Muslim scholars (Hanafis, Shaafi'is and Hanbalis) maintained that the key factor in this regard is that either parent is Muslim, be it the mother or father; the children are then Muslims as a consequence of their Muslim parent, because Islam prevails and no other religion prevails over it, since it is the religion of Allaah which He is pleased with for His slaves. Imaam Maalik, on the other hand, said: 'The fact that the mother or grandfather is a Muslim is irrelevant in this regard, given that the son is of the same social rank of his father and is attributed to his (father's) tribe.' The Shaafi'is held that if the young child's grandfather or great grandfather is a Muslim, then the grandchildren (descendants) are considered Muslims accordingly, even if the father is a non-Muslim and is still alive, because Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants...}[Quran 52:21] Ath-Thawri said: 'When the young boy reaches puberty, he is given the choice between taking on the religion of his father or that of his mother. Whichever he chooses, it becomes his religion.'" [End of quote]Hence, if your children are Muslims, then it is impermissible for you to include them in your will because they are already among the eligible heirs. No will is to be made in favor of a legal heir as we explained in Fataawa 90763 and 26630. If either, or both, of your children has reached puberty and chosen to convert to any other religion, he is no longer considered a Muslim and is not entitled to be an heir to you because he is an apostate, and the non-Muslim does not inherit from a Muslim. If you wish to make a bequest in favor of your non-Muslim sons, then you should know that Muslim scholars have held different opinions regarding the validity of such a bequest. The Hanafis, Maalikis, Shaafi'is (in their less preponderant view), and one of the views of the Hanbali school of Fiqh, held that a Muslim's bequest to an apostate is invalid; while the preponderant view according to the Shaafi'is and the standard view of the Hanbalis is that the Muslim's bequest is valid to an apostate who is identified by name, but if the apostate is not identified by name, then it is invalid to him. The Shaafi'is made an exception in this regard; they maintained that the bequest made in favor of an apostate is valid unless he allied with a non-Muslim country against Muslims, joined their forces, and lived under their protection; in this case, the bequest made in his favor is absolutely invalid. Based on the opinion that the bequest is valid, you are entitled to make a bequest of not more than one-third of the estate, because a bequest made in favor of a non-heir should not exceed one-third of the estate (to be valid and binding). Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... or a relative by family lineage or by marriage, and this is the view of the majority of scholars. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non- Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]  Allaah Knows

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.  If this woman died as a non-Muslim, then it is her non-Muslim heirs who were non-Muslims the time of her death, who would inherit her, whether they were from the same religion like her or from another religion, like for instance if she is a Jew and her heir is a Christian, because these religions are alike [do not believe in Islamic Monotheism]; this is the view of the majority of the scholars. Allaah Says (which means): {And those who disbelieve are allies to one another.}[Quran 8:73]. As regards a Muslim, he does not inherit anything from a non-Muslim, whether he is a husband or a relative by family lineage or by marriage, and this is the view of the majority of scholars. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non- Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... Ibn Hazm said:  

The jinn are real, and they are creatures created by Allah. Among them are kafirs (non-Muslims) and believers. They can see us but we cannot see them. They eat, have children and die. Allah says...

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Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:

The questioner is mistaken in saying that she has seen a jinn, because the jinn can see us but they cannot be seen by us. 

Al-Shafii said:

Whoever is of sound character and claims to have seen the jinn, his testimony is no longer valid, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Verily, he and qabeeluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them [7:27]

unless  he is a Prophet.

(Ahkaam al-Quran) 

Ibn Hazm said:  

The jinn are real, and they are creatures created by Allah. Among them are kafirs (non-Muslims) and believers. They can see us but we cannot see them. They eat, have children and die. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings): 

O you assembly of jinn and mankind! [6:130] 

And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire [15:27] 

And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening to this Quran), and of us some are alqaasitoon (disbelievers those who have deviated from the right path). And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allah), then such have sought the right path.

And as for the Qaasitoon (disbelievers who deviated from the right path), they shall be firewood for Hell [72:14-15] 

Verily, he and Qabeeluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them [7:27] 

Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me [18:50] 

Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish [55:26] 

Everyone shall taste death [3:185].

(al-Muhallaa) 

Hence what the questioner has seen may be just her imagination or an illusion, or it may be jinn appearing in a form other than that with which Allah has created them. 

Secondly:

With regard to the jinn harming humans, this is proven to happen and it does happen. Protection against that is attained by reciting Quran and adhkaar (dhikr/remembrance of Allah) prescribed in shareeah (Islamic law). 

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

Undoubtedly the jinn can have a harmful effect on humans, and they could even kill them. They may harm a person by throwing stones at him, or by trying to terrify him, and other things that are proven in the sunnah (prophetic teachings) or indicated by real events. It was reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave permission to one of his companions to go to his wife during one of the military campaigns I think it was the campaign of al-Khandaq as he was a young man who had recently got married. When he reached his house, he found his wife standing at the door, and he objected to that. She said to him, Go inside, so he went inside and found a snake curled up on the bed. He had a spear with him, so he stabbed it with the spear until it died, and at the same instant as the snake died the man also died. It was not known which of them died first, the snake or the man. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) heard of that, he forbade killing the harmless kinds of snakes that are found in houses, apart from those which are maimed or are streaked and malignant. 

This indicates that the jinn may attack humans, and that they may harm them, as is known from real-life events. There are numerous reports which indicate that a man may come to a deserted area, and a stone may be thrown at him, but he does not see anybody, or he may hear voices or a rustling sound like the rustling of trees, and other things that may make him feel distressed and scared. A jinn may also enter the body of a human, either because of love or with the intention of harming him, or for some other reason. This is indicated in the ayah/verse (interpretation of the meaning): 

Those who eat riba (interest) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by shaytan leading him to insanity [2:275]

In such cases, the jinn may speak from inside of that person and address the one who is reading verses from the Quran over him; the reciter may take a promise from the jinn never to come back, and other things concerning which there are very many reports which are widespread among the people. 

So the protection which will prevent the evil of the jinn is for a person to recite that which is narrated in the sunnah as being effective in providing protection, such as ayat al-Kurisy, for if a person recites ayat al-Kursiy at night, he will continue to have protection from Allah, and no shaytan will come near him until morning. And Allah is the Protector. (Majmoo Fatawa al-Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen) 

The sunnah mentions adhkhar by means of which one may gain protection from the shayateen (devils). These include: 

Seeking refuge with Allah from the jinn: 

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

And if an evil whisper from shaytaan tries to turn you away (O Muhammad) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the AllHearer, the AllKnower [41:36] 

And if an evil whisper comes to you from shaytaan, then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower [7:200] 

It was narrated from Sulayman ibn Sard that two men were trading insults in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them), until the face of one of them turned red. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, I know a word which, if he were to say it, what he is suffering from would go away: Aoodhu Billahi min al-Shaytan il-rajeem (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed shaytan). (al-Bukhaariand Muslim)

2 Reciting al-Muawwidhatayn (the last two chapters of the Quran, al-Falaq and al-Nas). 

It was narrated that Abu Said al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah from the jinn and from the evil eye until the Muawwidhatayn were revealed, and when they were revealed he started to recite them and not anything else.

(al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasaai, Ibn Maajah. 

3 Reciting ayat al-Kursiy

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) put me in charge of guarding the zakah (charity) of Ramadan. Someone came to me and started grabbing handfuls of the food. I took hold of him and said, I will take you to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He said, I will teach you some words by means of which Allah will benefit you. I said, What are they? He said, When you go to your bed, recite this ayah (interpretation of the meaning): Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyoom (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists) [2:255] until he completed the ayah. Then Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no shaytan (devil) will come near you until morning. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked me, What did your prisoner do last night? I said, O Messenger of Allah, he taught me something, and claimed that Allah would benefit me by it. He said, What was it? I said, He taught me to recite ayat al-Kursiy when I go to bed, and said that no shaytan would come near me until morning, and that Allah would appoint a guard for me who would stay with me. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, He told you the truth, although he is an inveterate liar. That was the shaytan. (al-Bukhaari) 

4 Reciting Surat al-Baqarah

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Do not make your houses like graves, for the shaytan runs away from a house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited. (Muslim) 

5 The last verses of Surat al-Baqarah

It was narrated that Abu Masood al-Ansari said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, that will suffice him. (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

It was narrated from al-Numan ibn Basheer (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two ayahs of Surat al-Baqarah were revealed. If they are recited for three nights, no shaytan (devil) will remain in the house. (al-Tirmidhi).

6 Reciting La ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer (There is no god except Allah Alone with no partner or associate; His is the Sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is able to do all things) one hundred times. 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  said: Whoever says La ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer one hundred times in the day, will have a reward equivalent to that of freeing ten slaves, one hundred hasanahs (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and one hundred sayiahs (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and it will be protection for him from the shaytan for that day, until evening comes. No one could achieve any better than him except the one who does more than he did.

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

7 Remembering Allah often (dhikr)

 It was narrated from al-Harith al-Ashari that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Allah commanded Yahya ibn Zakariya (peace be upon him) five things to follow and to enjoin upon the Children of Israel and he commanded them to remember Allah, and the likeness of that is a man who was being pursued by the enemy, until he reached a strong fortress in which he found protection; similarly a man cannot find protection from the shaytan except by remembering Allah (al-Tirmidhi) 

8 The adaan (call to prayer)

It was narrated that Suhayl ibn Abi Salih said: My father sent me to Bani Harithah, and there was with me a slave of ours, or a companion of ours. Someone called out his name from a garden, and the one who was with me looked into the garden and did not see anything. I mentioned that to my father, and he said, If I had known that this was going to happen to you, I would not have sent you. But if you hear a voice then make the call for prayer, for I heard Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrating that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: When the shaytan hears the call to prayer, he runs away fast. (Muslim). 

The word translated here as runs away fast may also mean passes wind. 

9 Reciting Quran offers protection against the shaytan 

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

And when you (Muhammad) recite the Quran, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not) [17:45]

And Allah knows best.

(Source: IslamQA)

... for the whispers that they have as long as they do not speak about it or act according to it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. But you should be careful that such a feeling does not lead to the forbidden matters which you...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. Fearing Allaah is one of the best deeds and acts that bring one closer to Allaah and it is something by which Allaah described His Angels, His Prophets and His pious slaves. The real fear is that which urges a person to perform good deeds and incites him to abandon committing bad deeds, and which does not lead a person to despair from the Mercy of Allaah. What you saw in your dream is not necessarily a warning for you; rather, it could be just what one thinks about when he is awake (i.e. imagination or working of sub-consciousness), and this is what it appears to be, as you mentioned that you were thinking of abandoning sins and repenting from them while you had a feeling of fear [from the punishment of Allaah] In any case, it is an obligation on every Muslim to repent to Allaah and take the initiative to do so because repentance is an immediate obligation. Allaah Says (what means): {O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance!}[Quran 66:8] Allaah also Says (what means): {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e. Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.}[Quran 3:133] Moreover, a Muslim should trust his Lord, as Allaah treats His slave according to his expectation from Him; so he should be certain that the Mercy of Allaah is vast and that His Forgiveness encompasses all the sins of the people no matter how great they are. Allaah Says (what means): {Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning] do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful."}[Quran 39:53] Besides, you should be careful not to despair of the Mercy of Allaah because if you do so, you commit a much graver and greater sin; Allaah Says (what means): {and never give up hope of Allaahs Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allaahs Mercy, except the people who disbelieve."}[Quran 12:87] For more benefit on the conditions of repentance, please refer to Fatwa 86527. On the other hand, a person is not held accountable for the mere feeling of not having any hope in life. The Prophet (saw) said: "Allaah has forgiven my nation for the whispers that they have as long as they do not speak about it or act according to it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. But you should be careful that such a feeling does not lead to the forbidden matters which you mentioned in your question like wishing to die and the like, because wishing for death is something that is forbidden in the Shareeah and we clarified this in Fatwa 105108 and we mentioned there the supplication in which one puts the matter in the Hands of Allaah. In addition to this, it could be that if the appointed time of the death of a Muslim is delayed, then this is good for him so that he would perform more good deeds or that he would try to please Allaah by giving up sins and seeking Allaahs Forgiveness, as stated in the Sunnah. As regards how to gain the love of Allaah and get closer to Him, then please refer to Fatwa 83931. Indeed, the signs of Allaahs Love for a person appear when Allaah enables him to do good as in the Qudsi Hadeeth in which the Prophet (saw) said: "Allaah says: "My Slave does not get closer to Me with anything more beloved to Me than something that I have enjoined upon him, and My Slave keeps getting closer to Me by performing Nawaafil (supererogatory acts of worship) till I love him, and if I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, and his seeing with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks something of Me, I would surely give it to him, and if he takes refuge in Me, I would surely grant him refuge." [Al-Bukhari] Among the signs of the love of Allaah for a person as well is that the people would love the person who is beloved by Allaah. The Prophet (saw) said: "If Allaah loves a person, He calls Jibreel (Gabriel) saying, 'Allaah loves so-and-so; O Jibreel! Love him.' Jibreel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. "Allaah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also."; and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Besides, there are other signs of the love of Allaah for a person. As regards speaking to Allaah, then when a Muslim prays, he speaks to Allaah and Allaah speaks to him, when a person says "Al-Hamdu Lillaahi rabil-'aalameen", Allaah would say: "My slave has praised Me." as per a long Hadeeth. However, if you mean that you speak to Him directly like it happened with some Prophets, like Moosa (Moses ) and our Prophet Muhammad (saw) then this is not possible in this worldly life. So, wishing such a thing is nonsense. In addition to this, seeing Allaah in this worldly life is not possible as the Prophet (saw) said: "You will not see your Lord until you die." [Ahmad and Al-Haakim] With regard to seeing Him in a dream, then this is possible and it is permissible to have such a wish. Concerning the Muslims feeling that death will bring him closer to meeting Allaah, then it is permissible to have such a feeling because this is a reality as death is the first stage of the Hereafter. Finally, dear sister, we would like to advise you to be keen on acquiring beneficial knowledge and perform good deeds and keep company with righteous Muslim women, because a person who keeps company with righteous people shall not suffer. Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... 'alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger. Such a general statement is not correct. That is because non-Muslims are not in the same degree. There is Al-Mu'aahad (i.e. the non-Muslim with whose people Muslims have a peace treaty) and...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger. Such a general statement is not correct. That is because non-Muslims are not in the same degree. There is Al-Mu'aahad (i.e. the non-Muslim with whose people Muslims have a peace treaty) and Al-Mustaman (i.e. the non-Muslim who has entered the Muslim land and has been guaranteed safety) and the life and wealth of both are protected by Sharee'ah (Islamic Law). On the other hand, there is the non-Muslim who is at war against Muslims, and such is the one whose life and wealth are not protected by Sharee'ah.For more benefit, please refer to the Fataawa 1234 and 88671.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... under Muslim protection): "Names are of three kinds: The first is exclusive to the Muslims. The second is exclusive to the non-Muslims. The third is common to both...... The second type: like Guirguis (George), Boutros (Peter),...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.The name (Monica) is a non-Arab name, and if it is particular to non-Muslims, as it appears, then it is not permissible to use it to name a Muslim. The prohibition is even more severe if this name indicates one of their gods. Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Ahkaam Ahl Ath-Thimmah (The laws pertaining to non-Muslims living under Muslim protection): "Names are of three kinds: The first is exclusive to the Muslims. The second is exclusive to the non-Muslims. The third is common to both...... The second type: like Guirguis (George), Boutros (Peter), Youhanna (John), Matta (Matthew) and the like; they [the non-Muslims living under Muslim protection] are not prevented from such names, but it is not permissible for Muslims to be named with such names because it is imitating them in what is particular to them. The third type: Yahya, 'Eesa, Ayyoob, Dawood, Sulaymaan, Zayd, 'Umar, 'Abdullah, 'Atiyyah, Mawhoob, Salaam, and the like; non-Muslims who are living safely in a Muslim land as well as the Muslims are not prevented from such names."Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd mentioned in his theses about naming a new-born child different kinds of forbidden names; he said: "Naming with foreign names that are exclusive to the non-Muslims: A Muslim who is content with his religion stays away from them and does not hover around them. In our present time, there is a great affliction with them [such names]; a Muslim takes a name of a non-Muslim from Europe, America or elsewhere, and this is one of the worst kinds of sin and means of desertion (of religion), among which are: Boutros, Guirguis, George, Diana, Rose, Susan ... and other names which we have already mentioned above. This imitation of the non-Muslims by using their names, if it is done only out of following ones desires or due to stupidity, then it is a great sin, and if one uses their names while believing that their names are better than Muslim names, then whoever does so is in great danger which shakes the foundation of his faith. In both cases, one should hasten to repent from it, and changing such names is a condition for repenting from them."Even though we are saying that using this name is forbidden, one does not commit Shirk merely by using it.For more benefit, please refer to Fatwas 82724 and 87262.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... [watch birds for omens]. He said, That is something which they make up. Do not believe them. (Narrated by Muslim).

 It was narrated from Abu Masood al-Badri that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and...

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Praise be to Allah.

There are many ahaadeeth which state that this is haraam, such as the hadeeth narrated from Safiyah bint Abi Ubayd from one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who narrated that he said: Whoever goes to a soothsayer and asks him about something and believes him, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days. (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh).

 Qusaybah ibn al-Mukhaariq said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: Al-ayaafah, al-tiyarah and al-turuq [kinds of augury] are all part of al-jabt [witchcraft or idolatry]. This was narrated by Abu Dawood with a saheeh isnaad. Abu Dawood said: Al-ayaafah, al-khatt and al-turuq are all kinds of augury, whereby a bird is released and is watched to see whether it flies to the right or to the left. If it flies to the right it is taken as a good omen and if it flies to the left it is taken as a bad omen. Al-Jawhari said: al-jabt is a word which may be applied to idols, soothsayers, magicians, astrologers etc.

 It was narrated that Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Whoever seeks knowledge from the stars is seeking one of the branches of witchcraft Narrated by Abu Dawood with a saheeh isnaad.

 It was narrated that Muaawiyah ibn al-Hakam said: I said, O Messenger of Allaah, I am still close to the time of Jaahiliyyah [i.e., I am new in Islam]. Allaah has brought Islam to us, but there are among us men who go to soothsayers (fortune tellers). He said, Do not go to them. I said, And there are men among us who practise augury [watch birds for omens]. He said, That is something which they make up. Do not believe them. (Narrated by Muslim).

 It was narrated from Abu Masood al-Badri that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade the price of a dog, the fee of a prostitute and the payment of a soothsayer. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

 It was reported that Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: Some people asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about soothsayers. He said, They are nothing. They said, O Messenger of Allaah, sometimes they say something and it comes true. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: That is a word of truth that the jinn snatches and whispers into the ear of his familiar, but they mix a hundred lies with it. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

 It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Whoever comes to a soothsayer and believes what he says, or has intercourse with a woman in her back passage, has nothing to do with that which has been revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). (Narrated by Abu Dawood).

  The scholars have stated that it is haraam to deal with such matters or to go to find out about them or to believe in them. It is haraam to pay them money, and anyone who is suffering from any of these things must hasten to repent from it. And Allaah knows best.

(Source: IslamQA)

... is required to have a bath (at least) once every seven days where he washes his head and body." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim. This is the wording of Al-Bukhari]   One should also intensively use perfume in...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. Smell is not something material to say that it is pure or impure. Consequently, you are blameless for this offensive smell. However, you should cleanse yourself properly for Islam urges purification. It is narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Each Muslim is required to have a bath (at least) once every seven days where he washes his head and body." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim. This is the wording of Al-Bukhari]   One should also intensively use perfume in compliance with the methodology of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who loved it and encouraged Muslims to use it. It has been narrated that he said: "Endeared to me of this worldly life is (marrying) women and (applying) perfume, and prayer has been made the apple of my eye." [Ahmad and An-Nasaai; Al-Albani: good-authentic] It was also narrated that he said: "When one is offered perfume, he should not reject it, for it has a nice scent and it is easy to carry." [Abu Daawood, An-Nasaai and Ahmad; Al-Albani: authentic]Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... my nation for the thoughts that they have except if they speak about them or act upon them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Another Hadeeth reads: "If he thinks of doing a bad deed but he does not do it, Allaah will...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.Such thoughts do not involve Shirk, and a person is not accountable for everything that he thinks about as we have already clarified in Fatwa 239614. In brief, if a person thinks about a forbidden act and he does not speak about it or act upon it, and he is not determined to do it, then he is not held accountable for it just because of having the urge to do it or thoughts about it. Moreover, if he is resolved on doing it and then he leaves it out of fear of Allaah, then he is forgiven for it and a good deed is written on his behalf. Evidence for this is the Hadeeh in which the Prophet (saw) said: "Allaah has forgiven my nation for the thoughts that they have except if they speak about them or act upon them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Another Hadeeth reads: "If he thinks of doing a bad deed but he does not do it, Allaah will write it down as one complete good deed." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Therefore, we advise you not to think about this matter as these are whispers from the devil. He does so in order to grieve you. Therefore, you should avoid his plots and seek refuge in Allaah from such thoughts. Allaah says (what means): {And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allaah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.} [Quran 41:36] Beware of these thoughts becoming obsessive whispers and hindering you from what benefits you in your religion and your worldly affairs.We should point out that it is not permissible to go to magicians even with the intention of undoing magic. Jaabir narrated that the Prophet (saw) was asked about undoing magic and he said: "It is from the work of the devil." [Ahmad] Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "Undoing magic is of two kinds:1. Undoing magic with magic: this is the work of the devil. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "Its only a magician who can undo magic; thus the person who is affected by magic as well as the magician do an act that is pleasing to the devil, and so the devil undoes the magic from the affected person.2. Treating magic with Ruqyah, reciting Soorahs 112, 113 and 114 from the Quran, and permissible supplications, then this is permissible." For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 84806 and 88705.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim, and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83407. There is no need for you to ask your parents to...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. It is confirmed that the Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim, and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83407. There is no need for you to ask your parents to exclude you from the heirs as this may cause them distress and repulsion, and a Muslim is required to be kind to his parents even if they are non-Muslims. Allaah Says (what means): {But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness.}[Quran 31:15]. Therefore, Allaah ordained to be kind to the non-Muslim parents, and it is not permissible to annoy them or hurt them. Therefore, you should endeavour to advise and call your parents to Islam with wisdom and in a good manner which befits them as parents. First of all, you should seek the Help of Allaah and supplicate Him earnestly as He may accept your supplication and your parents will be saved from Hellfire thanks to your supplications. It should be noted that if the non-Muslim parents make a will to their Muslim child, he is permitted to accept this will because the Prophet (saw) prohibited inheritance between the Muslims and non-Muslims but he (saw) did not prohibit accepting a will.Ibn Qudaamah said: 'It is acceptable for a Muslim to make a will for a non-Muslim in a Muslim land, and vice-versa, but this is only acceptable within the conditions of the validity of a will from a Muslim to another Muslim. Therefore, if the will is made to an heir or to a person who is not an heir but the amount exceeded a third, then implementing the will is subject to the acceptance of the other heirs, exactly like in the case of a Muslim [with another Muslim].'   We would like to focus here on an important matter that inheritance in Islam is an established right even if one did not bequeath. It is a right decreed by Allaah in the inheritance of a deceased person for certain inheritors such as his children, spouse, etc.As for the will, according to the Islamic legislations, it is valid only for those who do not inherit from the deceased, as in your case, and the will must not exceed one-third of the whole property. If it is more than the limit then it is not carried out unless the sane and mature inheritors approve it in their shares. If there is any immature inheritor then it does not apply to his share.  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.  It might be that you are referring to the saying of the Prophet (saw) : "I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists [non-Muslims]." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi] This narration is authentic and the scholars understood it to...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.  It might be that you are referring to the saying of the Prophet (saw) : "I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists [non-Muslims]." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi] This narration is authentic and the scholars understood it to apply on those who are not safe about their religion because the ruling of residing in a non-Muslim country differs according to the circumstances of different people and countries. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 86405. The ruling on you and your family who reside in that country should be based on these details, but there is no doubt that if a Muslim can live in a Muslim country where Islam is predominant then this is better. There is no comparison between a Muslim country where some non-Muslims live and a non-Muslim country where some Muslims live. Hence, it is more appropriate to seek the help of your trustworthy relatives or female friends so that they would help you find a pious husband with whom you can live in your Muslim country or any other Muslim country where you may find a righteous environment and where your children will be raised upon Islamic creed and good moral principles. Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... companions. Your uncle's Christian children have no right to inherit their dead father. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As regards the will he made on the boat and the van, then there is no...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions. Your uncle's Christian children have no right to inherit their dead father. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As regards the will he made on the boat and the van, then there is no harm in giving them to the people he appointed if they constitute a third or less than a third of the inheritance. However, if they are beyond a third of the inheritance, his will cannot be fulfilled, unless the other heirs [in this case the Muslim heirs only] permit it if they are mature and have a sound judgement, otherwise the share of the heir who permitted it, can be given away, and the share of the heir who did not permit it, cannot be given away.As regards his monthly income from his business, it will be divided according to the share of his Muslim wife and his Muslim children, he himself fathered. His wife will get one-eighth of the inheritance because of the presence of other heirs.Allaah Says (which means): {But if you leave a child, then for them [i.e. the wives] is an eighth of what you leave.}[Quran 4:12].The rest will be divided on the sons and daughters, provided he is their father, [and provided they are Muslims] for a male a portion equal to that of two females. Allaah Says (which means): {Allaah instructs you concerning your children [i.e. their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females.}[Quran 4:11]. However, if the heirs agree on another division other than what is mentioned above, they are permitted to do so [provided they all agree on it] and provided they are mature and have sound judgement.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... two tracts of black stones. Its trees should not be cut down and its animals should not be hunted. (Narrated by Muslim).

 Whoever claims that the pigeons of Madeenah fly to Makkah when the time of their death...

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Praise be to Allah.

There is nothing special about the pigeons of Madeenah or Makkah , and they are no different from any other pigeons, apart from the fact that it is haraam to hunt them or disturb them when one is in ihraam for Hajj or Umrah or not, so long as one is within the haram (sanctuary) of Makkah or Madeenah. If one goes outside the limits of the sanctuary, then it is permissible to hunt them for those who are not in ihraam for Hajj or Umrah, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

O you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in a state of Ihraam [for Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage)]

[al-Maaidah 5:95]

-- and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah has made Makkah a sanctuary and fighting in it has not been made lawful for anybody before me or after me, except for one hour of one day [i.e., on the day of the Conquest of Makkah Translator]. Its thorns shall not be cut, its trees shall not be chopped down, and its animals shall not be disturbed (Narrated by al-Bukhaari).

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, the area between its two tracts of black stones. Its trees should not be cut down and its animals should not be hunted. (Narrated by Muslim).

 Whoever claims that the pigeons of Madeenah fly to Makkah when the time of their death approaches and fly over the Kabah is an ignorant person who is making a claim that has no basis of truth. No one knows when any creature will die except Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

and no person [lit. no soul] knows in what land he will die

[Luqmaan 31:34]

 Bidding farewell to the Kabah is only done by doing Tawaaf al-Wadaa (Farewell Tawaaf) when one has performed Hajj or Umrah. The claim that pigeons know when they will die and that they bid farewell to the Kabah by flying over it is a false claim, which no one would dare to say but an ignorant person who fabricates lies against Allaah and His slaves. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.

 And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

(Source: IslamQA)

... a Muslim, then she inherits her, but if her mother is not Muslim, then she does not inherit her. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As regards the fact that that woman lives in a Christian society or...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. Your question included three matters:1-    The marriage of a Muslim woman with a Christian man: This marriage is absolutely void because the scholars agreed in a consensus that the marriage of a non-Muslim man with a Muslim woman is void. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83101.2-    The inheritance of this woman from her mother: If her mother is a Muslim, then she inherits her, but if her mother is not Muslim, then she does not inherit her. The Prophet (saw) said: "A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As regards the fact that that woman lives in a Christian society or that she is married to a Christian as you claimed in the question, then this does not affect the matter of inheritance. However, she is considered as a fornicator because of (entering into) this marriage.3-    The right of a person who does not pray in the inheritance of his mother: The scholars differed in opinion about the ruling on a person who abandons the prayer. The view of the majority of the scholars is that he does not go out of the fold of Islam, however, some scholars are of the view that he goes out of the fold of Islam. Based on the view of the majority of the scholars if this mother is a Muslim, then he inherits from her. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 85264. Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... country, such as widespread temptations, and disobedience that is easily committed there. Thats why the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "I am exempt from the Muslim who resides in a Kafir (non-Muslim) country." One has to tell this adulterous woman to fear Allah, and inform her that fornication...

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Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.There are many of evils in residing in a non-Muslim country, such as widespread temptations, and disobedience that is easily committed there. Thats why the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "I am exempt from the Muslim who resides in a Kafir (non-Muslim) country." One has to tell this adulterous woman to fear Allah, and inform her that fornication decreases Iman (faith) and that it is a major sin. Fornication is linked with shirk (associating partners with Allah and killing a soul which Allah forbids to kill.)Allah says: "And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him). (Al-Isra 17:32)Allah also says: " And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Furqan 25:68-70)Therefore, this woman has to repent to Allah and cut off her relations with her lover. She should also regret her transgression of the limits of Allah, seek forgiveness as much as possible, and perform good deeds. Allah says: "And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).' (Hud 11:114)As regards getting married with this non-Muslim who committed fornication with her, it is forbidden according to the consensus of the scholars.Muslim scholars consider Islam the most important pre-condition for the suitability in marriage.And Allah says: "And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers. (An-Nisa 4:141), Allah also says: "And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (idolatresses, etc.) till they believe (worship Allah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (idolatress, etc.), even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater, etc.), even though he pleases you." (Al-Baqarah 2:221)Allah further says: "They (Believing women) are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them." (Al-Mumtahinah 60:10)As regards abortion, she should not resort to it under any circumstances, as it is yet a more obnoxious crime since it results in killing a soul which Allah forbids to kill without any legal right.Abortion is damaging the progeny, and it is a mischief on the land, and Allah does not like mischief.Concealing the sin of Zina (adultery/fornication) by resorting to abortion is committing an act worse than the first one, so do not resort to abortion. But she should resort to Allah and return to Him by a sincere repentance staying away from what causes the Anger of Allah and His severe punishment.Allah knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... from food, drink and sleep, but once his need is fulfilled, he should return to his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  Allaah Knows

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions. There is no doubt that the parents have a great status in our religion and this is explained in Fatwa 84942. Therefore, if the demand of the parents contradicts with that of your wife's, then you should put the demand of your parents in priority, and you should travel with them, and your wife has no right to prevent you from doing so. However, you are obliged to leave for your wife the expenses which you are obliged to spend on her, and you should not leave her in a place where you do not fear that she will be harmed, and you should contact her [once you are away] according to your ability. Once your need is fulfilled, you should take the initiative to return to your wife. The Prophet (saw) said: "Travel is a part of punishment, a traveller is prevented from food, drink and sleep, but once his need is fulfilled, he should return to his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... Prophet (saw) said: "The deceased is tortured due to the wailing of his family over him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The scholars interpreted this Prophetic narration to mean that this torture applies to whoever...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. The Prophet (saw) said: "The deceased is tortured due to the wailing of his family over him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The scholars interpreted this Prophetic narration to mean that this torture applies to whoever advises his family to do this for him, or that he knows that his family would do so and did not request them not to do it. However, the person who does not request them or approve of them doing so is not tortured by the wailing of his family, as Allaah Says (what means): {And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.}[Quran 35:18]. The following two matters should be mentioned: 1- Wailing over the dead is forbidden as the Prophet (saw) said: "If a hired mourner (a woman who is hired to wail during funerals) does not repent before she dies, she will be raised on the Day of Judgement wearing a garment of tar and an armour of blistering puss." [Muslim]. Of course, this applies to the mourning which we know, but the mere weeping which is not accompanied with an act or statement that is forbidden, is permissible. The Prophet (saw) said: ''Allaah does not punish for the weeping of the eye or the sadness of the heart, but He punishes for this pointing to his tongue or that this [what the tongue utters] is forbidden.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].2- Please refer to Fatwa 84890 on the ruling of women following a funeral.  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... al-Zaahir, and there is nothing above You, and You are al-Baatin and there is nothing beneath You. (Narrated by Muslim).

 Al-Zaahir is interpreted as referring to highness, for Allaah is High and Exalted above...

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Praise be to Allah.

The meaning of these two names is explained in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: You are al-Zaahir, and there is nothing above You, and You are al-Baatin and there is nothing beneath You. (Narrated by Muslim).

 Al-Zaahir is interpreted as referring to highness, for Allaah is High and Exalted above all things. Some scholars interpreted it as meaning being manifest: He is the One Who is manifest to people by means of their reason through the proof of His existence and the evidence for His Oneness. So He is manifest by the evidence which points to Him and His actions which lead to knowledge of Him. So He is manifest and is known by means of reason and evidence, and He is Hidden because He is not seen, unlike all the things that are visible in this world glorified and exalted be He far above such a thing. 

Allaah is al-Zaahir by virtue of His Wisdom, power of creation, actions and all the blessings which He bestows. No one is to be seen in that regard except Him. Al-Baatin is the One Whose essential nature and attributes are veiled from men of understanding.

 It was reported that some scholars interpreted al-Baatin as meaning Close, so they said that al-Baatin is closer than anything by His Knowledge and Power, but He is above His Throne.

 Al-Baatin was also interpreted as meaning the one who knows the innermost matters (bawaatin al-umoor), just as He knows the outward appearance of all things. 

Al-Bukhaari said: Yahyaa i.e., al-Farraa said: He is al-Zaahir over all things by His knowledge and He is al-Baatin over all things by His knowledge. 

Some scholars interpreted it as meaning that He cannot be known through the physical faculties or senses, unlike the created things that can be known in this manner. 

And it was said that He is veiled from His creatures sight and imagination, so they cannot see Him or encompass Him with their minds. 

Although all of these meanings are correct, it is best to adhere to the Prophets interpretation, which is the best because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) knows Allaah better than anyone else in creation. Ibn Jareer said: Al-Zaahir (is) above everything else, He is the Most High, above all things, and there is nothing higher than Him. And He is close (al-Baatin) to all things, and there is nothing closer to anything than Him.

 Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that whoever denies that Allaah is above all things rejects the implications of His name al-Zaahir. It is not correct to say that al-Zaahir refers only to highness of status, as gold is described as being higher (of a higher status) than silver, because the one which is described as being lower may be placed in a higher location. It is not correct to think of it only in terms of power and dominion, even though Allaah is higher in power and dominion, for He is high in every sense, in His Essence, His status and His dominion.

 His name al-Baatin does not imply being low, for being low is a shortcoming, and He is far above any such imperfection. He is the Most High and cannot be anything but High.

 The names al-Zaahir and al-Baatin are connected. Al-Zaahir is connected to the idea of highness, because the higher a thing is, the more manifest it is. The idea of being high implies being manifest, and vice versa. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: There is nothing above You he did not say There is nothing more manifest than You, because being manifest implies being high.

 (These names also indicate) that Allaah encompasses all things by His knowledge and greatness, and that all things are as nothing before His greatness. And He is al-Baatin which indicates that He knows what is secret and hidden, down to the smallest detail.

(Source: IslamQA)

... for a Muslim to reside in a non-Muslim country without a necessity or a sound religious reason. The Prophet (saw) said: "I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists [non-Muslims]." [Abu Daawood] If one looks to the disadvantages and harms which could result in a Muslim...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions. First of all, you should know that in Islam it is forbidden for a Muslim to reside in a non-Muslim country without a necessity or a sound religious reason. The Prophet (saw) said: "I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists [non-Muslims]." [Abu Daawood] If one looks to the disadvantages and harms which could result in a Muslim residing in a non-Muslim country and being exposed to the causes of temptation and affliction, then the wisdom of Islam in prohibiting residing with them would become crystal clear. Indeed there are many Muslims who were tested in their religion, and many considered their traditions and customs (i.e. the disbelievers') which are in contradiction to Islamic Law as good traditions. Indeed many Muslims are afflicted and tempted by their women. Moreover, many Muslim children were spoilt and lost, just because of the freedom in the West which has no limits. So how could one ignore these calamities and disadvantages and just look to some worldly benefits that one could get while residing there? Besides, these [worldly] benefits could even be deficient in real life. There is racism and nationalism, and so forth; and this cannot be denied. Therefore, how can it be said, that Islamic legislation is practised in those countries, let alone saying that Islamic Law is practised in those non-Muslim countries better than they are practised in some Muslim countries that try to abide by the Book of Allaah? Not being successful in this life is not like not being successful in this life and in the Hereafter. For Muslims to think this way is evidence that they are afflicted by residing there, so one should be very cautious and not utter these terms which could lead to unpleasant consequences. For more benefits, please refer to Fataawa 85053, 86405 and 89419.  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim. This wording is in Al-Bukhari]3- Making a great deal of Du'aa' (i.e. supplicating...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.Muslim scholars have stated that doing a particular act of worship regularly at a particular time without any specific religious evidence is classified as Bid'ah (an innovation in religion).Imaam Ash-Shaatibi said: "Bid'ah is an innovated way in religion, a way that resembles the legitimate way. The purpose of following it is to exaggerate in worshipping Allaah, The Almighty." He also gave examples for it saying, "such as consistently performing certain acts of worship at certain times that were not specified in Sharee'ah."As for what is called 'the prayer of Laylatul Qadr' in the way you have stated, we did not find any authentic or unauthentic Hadeeth as grounds for it. Also, there are no grounds that the early Muslims did it and thus it should be avoided and we should only adhere to the Islamic acts of that night, such as:1- Observing I'tikaaf (seclusion in the Masjid) for the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to observe I'tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, which include Laylatul Qadr. It was stated in Zaad Al-Ma'aad by Ibn Al-Qayyim : "Once he (the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) observed I'tikaaf in the first ten days of Ramadan, then in the middle ten days, then in the last ten days, seeking Laylatul Qadr. Then, he was told that it is in the last ten days, so he always observed I'tikaaf during the last ten days, until he met his Lord."2- Performing night prayer, as it was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim. This wording is in Al-Bukhari]3- Making a great deal of Du'aa' (i.e. supplicating Allaah, The Almighty) especially what is established through evidence. It was narrated that 'Aaishah said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allaah, If I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma Innaka 'Afuwwun Tuhibb Al-'Afwa fafu 'Anni (O Allaah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so forgive me)." [Ibn Maajah - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]4- Reciting a great deal of Quran and Thikr, and other similar acts of worship.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... Messenger. Believing in Divine Decree, whether good or bad, is one of the pillars of faith. Without this belief, one would not be considered a Muslim. If a  Muslim believes in Divine Decree and fate along with belief in the other pillars of...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. Believing in Divine Decree, whether good or bad, is one of the pillars of faith. Without this belief, one would not be considered a Muslim. If a  Muslim believes in Divine Decree and fate along with belief in the other pillars of faith, he would be considered a true believer. The reward for true believers  is Paradise. If Allaah The Almighty makes one of  His slaves undergo an unpleasant experience, such as being unable to have children, or being poor, or ill, it does not necessarily mean that Allaah The Almighty is angry with this person.The purpose of this test may be to expiate the persons sins; everyone commits sins. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whatever strikes you of disaster it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.} [Quran 42:30]Moreover, this unpleasant experience may be a test that shows those who are sincere in their faith and those who falsely claim that they believe in Allaah The Almighty, yet they disbelieve in Him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Alif, Laam, Meem. Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?} [Quran 29:1-2]  This verse means that Allaah The Almighty tests His believing slaves; each in proportion to the strength of his faith.  The prophets faced the most difficult trials, then the most righteous people, and so forth. Such tests expiate one's sins. This is verified in a Hadeeth narrated by Ahmad and others, and authenticated by Al-Albaani all.Therefore, when someone has an unpleasant experience, he must be patient and never say anything that may displease Allaah The Almighty. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said that everything that happens in a Muslim's life are good for him: if he undergoes a pleasant experience, he thanks Allaah The Almighty; and if he undergoes an unpleasant experience, he shows patience and this is also good for him. Muslim narrated this Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Yahya Suhayb Ibn Sinaan .However, this does not mean that it is impermissible for a Muslim to ask Allaah The Almighty to rid him of the unpleasant experience he is going through. It is permissible for him to do so and this does not contradict patience. The prophets used to ask of Allaah The Almighty to rid them of their unpleasant situations. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):         {And [mention] Ayyoob (Job), when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."} [Quran 21:83]        {And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; Exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."} [Quran 21:87]         {And [mention] Zakariyya (Zechariah), when he called to his Lord (Allaah), "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors."} [Quran 21:98] It is well-known that Allaah The Almighty gave Zakariyya (Zechariah) a child in response to his  supplication. Although Zakariyya was very old and weak and his wife was infertile, he did not despair. He asked Allaah The Almighty to give him a child. The prophets never despaired of the mercy of Allaah The Almighty. Therefore, a childless couple must retain their hope in Allaah The Almighty as He determines fate and orders His slaves to supplicate to Him. He promises to respond to our supplication and His promise will be fulfilled. Supplicating to Allaah The Almighty is one of the means for attaining one's goals. It is also a shield that protects believers from harm and unpleasant experiences.Ibn Taymiyyah maintained  that Du'aa (supplication) rids a Muslim of unpleasant experiences. If his Du'aa is stronger than the unpleasant experience he is facing, he would be totally rid of it. If his Du'aa is weaker than the unpleasant experience he is facing, the experience would be relieved, in proportion to the strength of the supplication. For the supplication to be permissible, one must  not ask Allaah The Almighty for anything that is unattainable whether in terms of Sharee'ah or in terms of logic, otherwise it would be considered a form of transgression in supplication. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Call upon your Lord (Allaah) in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.} [Quran 7:55]Therefore, one is allowed to ask Allaah The Almighty for anything that is not prohibited or impossible.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... Manna (i.e. it grows naturally without man's care) and its water is a healing for the eye." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The truffle is a known plant; it has neither leaves nor stem, and it grows in the earth without...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.All the Ahaadeeth which you mentioned in the question are not authentic. As regards the Hadeeth about pomegranates, we have not come across it with the wording that you mentioned, but it was narrated with the following wording: "You should eat pomegranate with its pulp because it coats the stomach and there is no single seed of pomegranate that enters a person's stomach except that it enlightens his heart and repels the whispering of the devil for 40 days." This Hadeeth was narrated by Ibn 'Adiyy among the Dha'eef (weak) Ahaadeeth in his book entitled Al-Kaamil, and he ruled that it is fabricated.As regards the Hadeeth about watermelon, then we have not come across it in the resource books of Sunnah that we have at hand, not even in the books that are compiled to contain Dhaeef Ahaadeeth. Indeed, the scholars stated that all the Ahaadeeth that are reported about the virtues of watermelon are Dhaeef. For instance, Ibn Al-Qayyim said in his book entitled Al-Manaar Al-Muneef: "Imaam Ahmad said that no Hadeeth is authentic about the virtues of watermelon except that the Prophet (saw) used to eat it."With regard to the Hadeeth that you mentioned about milk, perhaps you meant the Hadeeth which reads: "Chew Libaan (a kind of gum), for it wipes away sadness from the heart as the finger wipes away sweat from the forehead. It strengthens the heart, augments the mind, increases the intelligence, polishes the sight, and expels forgetfulness." This was reported by Ali ibn 'Arraaq Al-Kinaani, the author of Tanzeeh Ash-Shareeah Al-Marfooah 'an Al-Ahaadeeth Ash-Shaneeah Al-Mawdhooah, and he commented on it saying: "In its chain of narrators, there is Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem ibn 'Amr ibn Yoosuf about whom Ibn Mandah said: "He narrated Munkar (rejected) Ahaadeeth."Finally, we have not come across the Hadeeth with the wording "Mushroom is a cure for the eye.", but there is a Hadeeth which reads: "The truffle is of Manna (i.e. it grows naturally without man's care) and its water is a healing for the eye." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The truffle is a known plant; it has neither leaves nor stem, and it grows in the earth without cultivation.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... son does not inherit his Muslim father according to the consensus of the Muslim scholars. The Prophet (saw) said: “A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim, and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]Moreover, the Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: "A Non-Muslim does not...

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All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and messenger. If the son referred to in the question had followed and practised the religion of his Christian mother; i.e. he became a Christian and embraced her religion, then he is a non-Muslim and he is not entitled to any share in the inheritance of his Muslim father. This is because there is an impediment that prevents him from the inheritance, which is the difference of religion.A non-Muslim son does not inherit his Muslim father according to the consensus of the Muslim scholars. The Prophet (saw) said: “A Muslim does not inherit a non-Muslim, and a non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]Moreover, the Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: "A Non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim according to the agreement of the scholars." [End of quote]However, if that son is still on the religion of Islam, then he inherits his Muslim father. He is also ruled to be a Muslim and inherits his father if he is young and has not yet reached the age of distinction, even if he lives with his Christian mother. This is because the son follows the best of his parents in religion. The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads:"The jurists agreed that the child follows the best of his parents in religion." [End of quote]The same thing applies if he is young and has not yet reached the age of distinction and did not become a Christian. However, if he became Christian while he is young and has reached the age of distinction, then this constitutes apostasy from a child, according to the statement of the majority of the scholars, in which case he does not inherit.The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: “The jurists differed in opinion in regard to the apostasy of a child who has reached the age of distinction; Abu Yoosuf, Zufar, Ash-Shaafi’i and one of the narrations from Ahmad, are of the view that the apostasy from a child is not valid (i.e., does not count). [….] However, Abu Haneefah, Muhammad, and the Maaliki School, and the famous opinion amongst the Hanbali scholars; they held that the apostasy of the child is valid. [….] If the apostasy of the child is confirmed, then the rulings of apostasy apply therein, so he does neither inherit nor is he inherited….” [End of quote]For more benefit that a Non-Muslim does not inherit a Muslim and vice-versa, please refer to Fataawa 358765, 238165, 137484 and 95466.Also, for more benefit on the apostasy of a child, please refer to Fatwa 117387.Allah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... is permissible as the Prophet (saw) said: "Obedience is required only in what is permissible." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Indeed, this conduct cannot be considered permissible. Allaah Knows

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. We have already issued Fatwa 115698 clarifying that it is permissible for a husband to kiss the feet of his wife as a way of foreplay. As regards stepping on your husband with your feet while wearing shoes, then this is against the proper manners and it contradicts the Fitrah (natural disposition upon which Allaah created mankind). It is known in the customs of the people that such an act is for humiliating the person in addition to the harm that this may cause to your husband. Therefore, you are not obligated to obey him in this regard, and if this act causes harm to him, then it is even more confirmed that you do not have to obey him. Indeed, it is confirmed that the Prophet (saw) said: "There should be no harm nor reciprocal harm." [Maalik, Ahmad and Ibn Maajah] Verily, obedience should be only in what is permissible as the Prophet (saw) said: "Obedience is required only in what is permissible." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Indeed, this conduct cannot be considered permissible. Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... a transgression, and the Prophet (saw) said: "Injustice is darkness on the Day of Judgement." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  Allaah Knows

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger. It is known that the heirs inherit what the deceased left behind from his own property, but they do not inherit from him the property which did not belong to him and which belonged to others. Therefore, if some of the properties which were registered in the name of the deceased belonged to him and others belonged to other people, then the heirs inherit only what belonged to him, and they have no right in the property which belonged to other people.However, it should be mentioned that if you registered the property which you have in the name of your father and this was a gift from you to him, then in this case all the property belongs to the father and therefore to all the heirs. In this case, they will divide all the property including what you gifted to your father. Similarly, the house which you built and registered in your mother's name, if you gifted it to your mother and she possessed it while she was alive, then after her death, all the heirs have a right in this house. It should also be noted that the daughters also have a right in the inheritance of their father and preventing them from their share as some societies do is an injustice and a transgression, and the Prophet (saw) said: "Injustice is darkness on the Day of Judgement." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... to guarantee its stability.Islam's main focus is on building a stable marital life. Qadiyanis/Ahmadis are non-muslims. And Allah swt says: Also,Alah(swt) says in the Quran: " Do not marry unbelieving women...

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As-Salamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. We commend your keenness on getting your self well-acquainted with Islam and its teachings, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake. In Islam, marriage is a solemn contract for which the Shari`ah lays down rules and arrangements to guarantee its stability.Islam's main focus is on building a stable marital life. Qadiyanis/Ahmadis are non-muslims. And Allah swt says: Also,Alah(swt) says in the Quran: " Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of Bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise. "(2:221) Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him quotes the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying, "A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty, and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman; (otherwise) you will be a loser." (Reported by Al-Bukhari) While marrying one should consider the fact that cross-cultural marriages do have their built-in problems since you would be sharing your life with a person (and his family) who come from a totally different culture, so, try to be clear about the issues that may cause problems in the future." The questions of common language, background, education and age, etc., are meant, in an ordinary stable context, to maximize the chances of success and stability in a very important Islamic institution, that of marriage. However, considering the particular position of Muslim communities living in minority situations, young Muslims, male and female, are exposed to all sorts of challenges - be they cultural, linguistic, racial or social. The most fundamental question when choosing a partner is a religious one- As far as language, background, or social position are concerned, these are not significant factors that absolutely must be fulfilled before a marriage can take place. If the prospective partner is of good character, with a strong religious inclination, and the two young people are happy and feel compatible with one another, other considerations are not of such importance." If you are still in need of more information, don't hesitate to contact us. Do keep in touch. May Allah guide us all to the straight path! Wassalam and Allah Almighty knows best. (Source: IslamiCity)

... Islam. But monotheism is the initial state and polytheism is an innovation by human beings.  So, the progeny of the non-Muslims followed them in being astray.  But none of their descendants will be punished unless they become mature and the call to...

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Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.  The first human societies were Muslims.  They all worshipped Allah alone.  These continued for centuries.  Then some human beings turned away from Islam.  So, Allah sent them Prophet Noah (Alaihi Salaam).  Some of them became Muslims and others refused Islam. But monotheism is the initial state and polytheism is an innovation by human beings.  So, the progeny of the non-Muslims followed them in being astray.  But none of their descendants will be punished unless they become mature and the call to monotheism reaches them, they refuse to abide by it and prefer to fulfill their desires and instincts imitating their predecessors.  Since this is their situation, they deserve Hell-fire because they chose Kufr and refused Islam.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning).}[17:15]. The same applies to the children of Muslim parents if they reach the age of puberty and choose Kufr, they will be considered as apostate and will then be thrown in Hell-fire forever, and Islam of their parents does not help them in this case. Allah knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... country, especially that you cannot practise your religion in that country as you mentioned.  The Prophet (saw) said: "I am exempt from any Muslim who lives among the polytheists." [At-Tirmithi and Al-Albaani]Since migration is compulsory, then there is no obedience to your...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.According to the correct opinion, migration from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim country will continue till the Day of Judgement for the purpose of fleeing for the Sake of religion.Ibn 'Abbaas narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "There is no migration (after the conquest of Makkah), but Jihad and good intention."  [Al- Bukhari and Muslim] Meaning that migration from Makkah to Madeenah is no longer needed because Makkah has become a Muslim territory.Therefore, you must migrate from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim country, especially that you cannot practise your religion in that country as you mentioned.  The Prophet (saw) said: "I am exempt from any Muslim who lives among the polytheists." [At-Tirmithi and Al-Albaani]Since migration is compulsory, then there is no obedience to your parents if they order you not to migrate. However, you should be kind and dutiful to them.Allaah Knows best. (Source: islam_web)

... the one who does not perform Hajj in spite of possessing the required means; they are not Muslims! They are not Muslims!" This wording was cited by Saʻeed ibn Mansoor. Al-Bayhaqi's version reads,...

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All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. Neither of these ahaadeeth is authentically attributed to the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, directly according to a group of renowned hadeeth scholars such as Al-ʻUqayli and Ad-Daaraqutni .However, the meaning of such reports has been authentically narrated as a mawqoof report (stopped at the level of the Companion) on the authority of ʻUmar . Ibn Hajar wrote, "This hadeeth has an authentic chain of narration, yet it is a mawqoof report and was narrated by Saʻeed ibn Mansoor and Al-Bayhaqi. It has been narrated on the authority of ʻUmar ibn Al-Khattaab that he said, "I was on the point of imposing jizyah on the one who does not perform Hajj in spite of possessing the required means; they are not Muslims! They are not Muslims!" This wording was cited by Saʻeed ibn Mansoor. Al-Bayhaqi's version reads, "...Let him die as a Jew or Christian (he repeated it thrice); it refers to a man who died without performing Hajj though he had the means and his way was left free." [At-Talkhees Al-Habeer]Allaah knows best. (Source: islam_web)