800 foreigners convert to Islam in 6 months in Qatar

800 foreigners convert to Islam in 6 months in QatarA total of 800 expatriates converted to Islam in the last six months, according to statistical data released by Qatar Guest Centre (QGC). The Centre, which is affiliated to Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad Al Thani Charity, is planning to publish the stories of these converts in a book to be translated in other languages. Also, QGC is organising in Al Khor advocacy programmes to educate the new Muslims in cooperation with religious guidance and mosque affairs department and Ministry of Awqf and Islmaic Affairs. Of the 800 new Muslims 67 percent are Filipinos, according to Hadi Al Dosari, Director of...

Read More

A Lie in Order to Conceal his Charity

Question:As, it is better to hide your name while giving charity, but under some circumstances when it is not possible to hide yourself is it permissible to say that someone has given me this money to spend this way. Would it be a lie? Please give your suggestion so that no personal fame or riya includes in my otherwise clear intention to please Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: Concealing voluntary charity is better than giving it openly. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There are seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His… a man who gives charity and conceals it so that his left hand does not know what his right hand...

Read More

What is required to accept and convert to Islam?

Question: I have a dear friend that has converted to Islam. I am in support of her decision, but would like to understand the way this religion goes about dating. Could you explain the process? Also, how does one go about converting to Islam? What is the process? How long does it take? Answer: To the venerable Ms. (name withheld) (may Allah protect you from every evil), Please accept from me a good-intentioned greeting! I was extremely pleased to receive your questions regarding the nature of the relationship between men and women in Islam and how one goes about embracing this religion. I also commend and appreciate your wise and mature sense of judgment in supporting your friend's decision to accept Islam. It shows admirable wisdom and a balanced sense of sagacity and understanding...

Read More

Is paying zakaat al-fitr obligatory for someone who only prayed on the last day of Ramadan and did not fast?

Question:There is a person who did not pray or fast, but the last day of Ramadan Allah guided him, and he prayed and fasted. Does he have to pay zakaat al-fitr? If he did not pay it what should he do?. Answer:Praise be to Allaah. In the answer to question no. 2182 we stated that the one who does not pray is a kaafir, whether he does not pray out of carelessness and laziness or because he denies it is obligatory.  If Allah guides a person (to Islam) before sunset on the last day of Ramadan, he has to pay zakaat al-fitr, regardless of whether he caught up with the fast or not, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) enjoined the sadaqah of Ramadan upon the people, a saa‘ of...

Read More

Do Major Sins Invalidate the Fast?

Question: I do not fast. Will I be punished on the Day of Resurrection?. Answer: Praise be to Allaah.   Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribaa (from now onward) if you are (really) believers”[al-Baqarah 2:278]  This is a call from Allaah to give up riba and avoid it, because He has forbidden riba: “Allaah has permitted trading and forbidden Ribaa”[al-Baqarah 2:275 – interpretation of the meaning]  Consumption of riba is one of the causes of the humiliation of the Muslims, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: If you engage in ‘eenah transactions, and are content with farming and hold on to the tails of cattle, and you forsake jihad for the...

Read More