Daily useful Masae'l for fasting

1749. It is haraam for a wife to keep a Mustahab fast if by so doing she would not be able to attend to her duties to her husband. And the obligatory precaution is that even if she can attend to her duties towards her husband, she should not observe a Mustahab fast without his permission.

1750. It is haraam for the children to observe a Mustahab fast if it causes emotional suffering to their parents.

1759. It is Mustahab that a person breaks his fast after offering Maghrib and Isha prayers. However, if he feels terribly inclined to eat, so much that he cannot concentrate on the prayers, or if someone is waiting for him, it is better that he should break his fast first and offer the prayers later. However, as far as possible, he should try to offer the prayers during the prime time (Fadheelat).

1757. ...If a person observes a Mustahab fast, it is not obligatory on him to complete it. In fact, if one of his brethren-in-faith invites him to a meal, it is Mustahab that he accepts the invitation and breaks the fast during the day time even if it may be after Zuhr.

Daily useful Masae'l for fasting

1730. If a fasting person travels after Zuhr, he should, as a precaution, complete his fast. If he travels before Zuhr and had an intention from the previous night to do so, he cannot fast on that day. As a precaution, he cannot fast on that day even if he had no intention to travel from the previous night. In both the cases, he cannot break the fast till he has reached the limit of Tarakkhus. If he does, he will be liable to give Kaffarah.

1733. It is Makrooh for a traveller and for a person who cannot fast owing to some excuse, to have sexual intercourse or to eat or drink to his fill, during the day time in Ramadhan.

1742. If the moon is high up in the sky, or sets late, it is not an indication that the previous night was the first night of the month. Similarly, if there is a halo round it, it is not a proof that the new moon appeared in the previous night.

1737. Fasting is not obligatory on a woman in advanced stage of pregnancy, for whom fasting is harmful or for the child she carries. For every day, however, she should give one mudd of food to poor. In both the cases, she has to give qadha for the fasts which are left out.

Daily useful Masae'l for fasting

1666. Certain things are Makrooh for a person observing fast, some of them are mentioned below:
1. Using eyedrops and applying Surma if its taste or smell reaches the throat.
2. Performing an act, which causes weakness, like blood-letting (extracting the blood from the body) or going for hot bath.
3. Inhaling a snuff if one is not aware that it might reach the throat; and if one is aware that it will reach the throat its use is not permissible.
4. Smelling fragrant herbs.
5. For women, to sit in the water.
6. Using suppository, that is, letting into rectum a stimulant for bowels.
7. Wetting the dress which one is wearing.
8. Getting a tooth extracted or doing something as a result of which there is bleeding in the mouth.
9. Cleaning the teeth with a wet toothbrush.
10. Putting water or any other liquid in the mouth without a good cause.
It is also Makrooh for a fasting person to court or woo his wife without the intention of ejaculation; or to do something which excites him sexually. And if he does it with the intention of ejaculation, and no ejaculation takes place, his fast, as an obligatory precaution, will be deemed void.

1699. It is Makrooh to do excessive mouth washing for a fasting person, and after the mouthwash if he wishes to swallow saliva, it is better that he spits it out three times before doing so.

1702. If a person doubts whether or not Maghrib has set in, he cannot break his fast. But if he doubts whether or not it is Fajr he can commit, even before investigation, an act which invalidates a fast.

1724. There is no harm in travelling during the month of Ramadhan, but it is Makrooh to travel during the month to evade fasting. And similarly, it is Makrooh to travel before the 24th of Ramadhan unless travelling is undertaken for the purpose of Hajj or Umrah or for some important work.

Daily useful Masae'l for fasting

1577. If one doubts whether it is the last day of Sha'ban or the first day of Ramadhan then the fast on that day is not obligatory. If however, somebody wants to observe fast on that day he cannot do so with the intention of observing the Ramadhan fast, but if he makes an intention that if it is Ramadhan then it is the Ramadhan fast and if it is not Ramadhan then it is qadha fast or some other fast like that, his fast will be valid. 
But it is better to observe the fast with the intention of qadha fast or some other fast, and if it is known later that it was Ramadhan then it will automatically be Ramadhan fast. And even if he makes a niyyat of a natural fast, and later it becomes known that it is Ramadhan, it will be sufficient (i.e. that fast will be counted as the Ramadhan fast).

1586. If a person observing fast intentionally swallows something which remained in between his teeth, his fast is invalidated.

1589. There is no harm in swallowing one's phlegm or mucous from head and chest as long as it does not come upto one's mouth. However, if it reaches one's mouth, the obligatory precaution is that one should not swallow it.

1606. If a person observing fast wishes to quote something about which he has no authority or he does not know whether it is true or false, he should, as an obligatory precaution, give a reference of the person who reported it, or of the book in which it is written.

1615. As an obligatory precaution, a person who is observing fasts, should not allow the smoke of cigarettes, tobacco, and other similar things to reach his throat.

1622. If a fasting person falls into the water involuntarily, and his entire head goes into the water, or if he forgets that he is fasting and immerses his head in the water, his fast is not affected.

1641. If a person observing fast becomes Mohtalim during day time, it is not obligatory on him to do Ghusl at once.

1660. If a fasting person is certain that if he belches, something will come out from the throat, he should not, as a precaution, belch intentionally, but there is no harm in his belching if he is not certain about it.

1661. If a fasting person belches and something comes from his throat or into the mouth, he should throw it out, and if it is swallowed unintentionally, his fast is in order.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 29

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West: Interaction in social life » Questions and Answers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


327: Question: Is it permissible for those who reside in the West to send their muhajjaba daughters to co-ed schools (irrespective of whether or not education is compulsory) while there exist non co-ed schools which obviously are expensive, located faraway or of a low academic standard?

Answer: It is not permissible, [even] if it [just] corrupts their character, let alone if it harms their beliefs and commitment to the faith which is what normally happens!

An Important Rule Often Neglected 28

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Women's issues » Questions and Answers

Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

480: Question: In the West it is possible to wear coloured contact lenses. Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to wear them for the sake of beautification and then appear in front of non-mahram men?


Answer: If that is considered as an item of cosmetics, it is not allowed. 


Q&A - Chat between male and females


Question: Is it permissible to chat with girls on the internet?
Answer: If there is a fear that a girl or a boy may be drawn towards sin, it is not permissible. Normally chatting ends up in a sin for both sides.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 27

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Eating & drinking » Questions and Answers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


191: Question: We are unaware of the ingredients of food sold in shops in Western countries: it might be free from those ingredients that are forbidden to us or it might contain them. Are we allowed to eat such items without looking into their ingredients, or inquiring about them? Or is that not allowed to us?


Answer: It is permissible [to eat such food] as long as it is not known that it contains meat, fat, and their derivatives that are forbidden to us.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 26

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Women's issues » General Rules
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


450: It is not permissible for a woman to expose the top part of her feet to a non-mahram onlooker. However, she is allowed to keep her feet —top as well as sole— exposed during salat, if she is in a place where she is immune from the looks of a non-mahram person.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 25

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Youth's issues » General Rules
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


503: It is harãm to play chess, regardless of whether or not the play is with betting. It is also harãm to play chess through computerized instrument, if there are two players involved in it. Based on obligatory precaution, one must refrain from it, even if just the computer is the other player.

504: It is similarly harãm to play with instruments of gambling in which betting is involved. Based on obligatory precaution, one must refrain from it even when no betting is involved.

522. Question: Is it permissible to play games of chance of all kinds on electronic machines (computers) without betting or with betting?
Answer: It is not permissible, and it is treated the same as normal [non-electronic] gambling instruments.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 24

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Women's issues » General Rules 
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


450: It is not permissible for a woman to expose the top part of her feet to a non-mahram onlooker. However, she is allowed to keep her feet —top as well as sole— exposed during salãt, if she is in a place where she is immune from the looks of a non-mahram person.


478: Question: A Muslim woman wears high heel shoes that hit the ground in such a way that it draws attention. Is she allowed to wear it?
Answer: It is not permissible, if it is intended to draw the attention of non-mahram men to herself, or if it generally causes temptation [for committing sin].


489: Question: Is a woman allowed to wear trousers and take to the streets and markets?
Answer: It is not allowed, if it reveals the contours of her body or would normally arouse temptation.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 23

Islamic Laws: Fasting » Ascribing lies to Allah and His Prophet
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

1757. Fasting is Mustahab on every day of a year except those on which it is haraam or Makrooh to observe a fast...Fasting is also recommended on 27th of Rajab - the day the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared his Prophethood.


If a person observes a Mustahab fast, it is not obligatory on him to complete it. In fact, if one of his brethren-in-faith invites him to a meal, it is Mustahab that he accepts the invitation and breaks the fast during the day time even if it may be after Zuhr.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 22

A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West: Work and Investment » General Rules
(page 146 and pg 150 in the printed copies)
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

249: It is not permissible for a Muslim to buy products of the countries that are in a state of war with Islam and Muslims, for example, Israel. (See the question-answer section below.)

265: Question: Is it permissible to buy goods from companies that allocate part of their profits to supporting Israel?
Answer: We do not allow that.

Listing the brands: http://www.inminds.co.uk/boycott-brands.html

An Important Rule Often Neglected 21

Islamic Laws : Congregational prayers » Rules of congregational prayers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


1476. The follower should not say Takbiratul ehram before the Imam.
As an obligatory precaution, he should not say the takbir until the takbir of the Imam is completed.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 20

Islamic Laws : Congregational prayers » Rules of congregational prayers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani
1475. [IN SALATUL JAMA'AH] The follower should not recite Surah al-Hamd and Surah in the first and second Rak'ats of Zuhr and Asr prayers and it is Mustahab that instead of them he should recite Zikr.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 19

Islamic Laws : Obligatory acts relating to Namaz » Things on which Sajdah is allowed
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

1085. Sajdah should be performed on earth, and on those things which are not edible nor worn, and on things which grow from earth (e.g. wood and leaves of trees).
It is not permissible to perform Sajdah on things which are used as food or dress (e.g. wheat, barley and cotton etc.), or on things which are not considered to be parts of the earth (e.g. gold, silver, etc.). And in the situation of helplessness, asphalt and tar will have preference over other non-allowable things.

1092. Turbatul Husayn is the best thing for performing Sajdah. After it, there are earth, stone and grass, in order of priority.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 18

Code of practice for Muslims in the West: Dealing with laws in non-Muslim countries » Questions and Answers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


Question: Is it permissible to tamper with electric or water or gas meters, in non-Muslim countries?
Answer: This also is not permissible.

230. Question: Is it permissible to cheat insurance companies in non-Muslim countries when one is confident that it would not tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims?

Answer: It is not permissible.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 17

Islamic Laws : Obligatory acts relating to Namaz » Takbiratul Ehram
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

958. The recommended precaution is that one should not join Takbiratul Ehram of the prayers with any preceding recitations, like, Iqamah or with a Dua which he may be reciting before the Takbir.

960. It is necessary that when a person pronounces Takbiratul Ehram, his body is steady, if he pronounces Takbiratul Ehram intentionally when his body is in motion, his Takbir is void.


964. It is Mustahab for a person pronouncing the first Takbir of the prayers, and also the Takbirs which occur during the prayers, to raise his hands parallel to his ears.


966. If after having pronounced Takbiratul Ehram, a person doubts whether he has pronounced it correctly, he should ignore his doubt at any stage.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 16

A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West : Youth's issues » Questions and Answers
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


520. Question: At times the big companies in Europe discriminate —among those who come to them seeking jobs— between those who shave the beards and those who don’t shave them. If this is true, then is it permissible to be clean shaven in order to get the job?
Answer: Shaving the beard —whose prohibition is based on obligatory precaution— would not become permissible just by the desire to get a job with these companies.


521. Question: Is it permissible to shave the two sides of the face and leave the hair on the chin?
Answer: Shaving the beard is haram based on obligatory precaution, and this includes the hair that grows on the sides of the face. However, there is no problem in shaving the hair that grows on the cheeks.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 15

Islamic Laws : Obligatory acts relating to Namaz » Qunut

Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

1127. It is also Mustahab that while reciting qunut, a person keeps his hands in front of his face, turning the palms facing the sky, and keeping both, the hands and the fingers, close together. It is Mustahab to look at the palms in qunut.


1129. It is Mustahab that qunut is recited loudly. However, if a person is offering prayers in congregation, and if the Imam can hear his voice, it will not be Mustahab for him to recite qunut loudly.


1130. If a person does not recite qunut intentionally, there is no qadha for it. And if he forgets it, and remembers before reaching Ruku, it is Mustahab that he should stand up and recite it. And if he remembers while performing Ruku, it is Mustahab that he should perform its qadha after Ruku. And if he remembers it while performing Sajdah, it is Mustahab that he should perform its qadha after Salam.

An Important Rule Often Neglected 14

Islamic Laws : Following a mujtahid (Taqlid) » Taqlid: Following a Mujtahid
Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani


11. It is obligatory for a follower to learn the Masae'l which are of daily importance.


12. If a person faces a problem whose rule is not known to him, it is necessary for him to exercise precaution, or to follow a Mujtahid according to the conditions mentioned above. But if he cannot obtain the ruling of an A'lam Mujtahid on that matter, he is allowed to follow a non-A'lam Mujtahid, even if he has a general notion about the difference between the verdicts.