Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (120): I am a woman who follows the Ash'ari creed. Unknowingly, I built a family life with a Wahhabi. Before marriage, I was unaware of his views. However, after the marriage, he began calling me a mushrik and a kafir. During disputes between us, I observed that he holds mujassimah beliefs, ascribing a location to Allah the Almighty. He calls those who declare Allah free from the concept of location "Jahmiyyah." Is the marriage contracted with such a person sahih according to the four madhhabs? Does his declaring the Ash'aris and myself personally to be kafir mean our marriage is considered annulled? Answer (120): According to the Hanafi madhhab, a marriage (nikah) established with such a person is not sahih. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (119): Is it possible to learn the fatwas of the Shafi'i madhhab from Hanafi sources, and the fatwas of the Hanafi madhhab from Shafi'i sources? Answer (119): Scholars of a madhhab do not bear an obligation, in the works they author, to accurately convey the authoritative opinions of other madhhabs. For this reason, one cannot learn the rulings of one madhhab by relying on the books of another madhhab. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (118): Are a woman's feet considered 'awrah? Answer (118): Both the top (outer) and the sole (bottom) of a woman's feet are considered 'awrah. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (117): How can I bring my nafs (self/ego) to tranquility? Answer (117): Withdraw in solitude and remember Allah (dhikr). Recall all the sins you have committed in the past, and wash them away with your tears through repentance. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (116): Is it permissible for a man to buy his wife a bouquet of flowers arranged in a heart shape? In general, what is the ruling on buying flowers for one's wife? Answer (116): It is not permissible for a man to buy heart-shaped flowers for his wife. Because this symbol has already become a marker of the fasiq (transgressors). For this reason, it is more advisable to stay away from such symbols. However, there is no religious obstacle to a man buying flowers for his wife in the ordinary way, expressing his love for her through this means. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (115): If we enter the mosque on Friday and see that the imam is delivering the khutbah, can we pray? Answer (115): Sit down and listen to the khutbah. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (114): How can we know that a woman is truly religious? Answer (114): A religious woman is one who lives the commands of the religion both outwardly and inwardly. She is distinguished by her chastity, taqwa, and worship. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (113): Is it permissible to neuter cats? Answer (113): If there is a benefit in doing so, it is permissible. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (112): I live in Germany, and most medications here contain pork fat with no alternative available. Is it permissible to buy these medications? Answer (112): No, it is not permissible. Order and obtain the needed medications from other countries. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (111): What should we do with a Mushaf (copy of the Quran) whose pages have become unreadable? Answer (111): It should be buried in the ground in a clean area, such as a place where Muslims are buried, so that people do not trample it underfoot. If such a clean location cannot be found, according to the Shafi'i madhhab, it is permissible to burn it with the intention of protecting the Mushaf from disrespect. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (110): Is it permissible to eat zebra meat? Answer (110): Yes, it is permissible. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (109): Is it permissible to celebrate Valentine's Day? Answer (109): No, it is not permissible. Because this is the slogan of the fasiq (transgressors) and fājir (immoral) people. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (108): Can someone visiting France as a tourist eat meat slaughtered there, relying on the fact that the local people are from the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab)? Answer (108): Today, irreligion and atheism are more widespread and predominant in Western society. In such a situation, it is essential to be cautious and investigate the origin of the meat before eating it. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (107): What is the ruling on congratulating non-Muslims on the occasion of marriage? Answer (107): The most virtuous (or better) option is to refrain from such congratulations. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (106): Is it permissible to accept gifts given on the occasion of a birthday? Answer (106): Yes, it is permissible. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (105): Is it permissible to dress children in clothes with "Ronaldo" and "Messi" written on them? Answer (105): This is not behavior befitting the dignity of a Muslim. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (104): If a woman who covers her face when leaving the house is asked by her husband to uncover her face, is this request permissible from a Sharia perspective? Answer (104): It is wajib for a woman to fully cover her face. She is not permitted to uncover her face fully or even partially. For this reason, such a request from the husband is not permissible. Consequently, the wife does not comply with her husband on this matter. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (103): Is it correct to say that the most virtuous person of this ummah is Isa (peace be upon him)? Answer (103): According to the opinion of some scholars, Isa (peace be upon him) is also considered a Sahabi. Because he met the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during his lifetime. According to this view, Isa (peace be upon him) is the most virtuous of this ummah. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (102): Can property acquired through haram means be made into a waqf? Answer (102): Waqf is an act of worship performed with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. It is not permissible to carry out this act with haram property. Because Allah the Almighty is "Tayyib" (Pure/Good). Therefore, He only accepts what is good and pure. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (101): If the imam recites the surahs in fard prayer by looking at the mushaf (Quran), does his prayer become bātil? Answer (101): If the imam knows the surah he is reciting by heart, his prayer is valid with karahah (dislike). However, if he does not know the surah by heart (and recites while looking at the mushaf), his prayer is bātil. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi