Islamic Fatawa

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

Celebrating the 12th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, illuminating homes, and decorating houses in commemoration of the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are not part of Islamic teachings. Rather, such practices are contrary to Islamic teachings.

After receiving Prophethood, the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not celebrate his birthday even once during his worldly life, which lasted 23 years. Likewise, the Companions (رضي الله عنهم), the Tabi‘in, the Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in, and the leading jurists (Imams) never celebrated it. The scholars, pious people, and saints of the early generations, including those of approximately the first six centuries of Islam, did not celebrate it either.

It is said that in the seventh century Hijri, a ruler introduced this practice in an attempt to preserve his rule and as a response to the Christians’ celebration of Christmas.

Therefore, deliberately illuminating homes and making special arrangements in Rabi‘ al-Awwal with the belief that these acts are a means of earning reward is considered an innovation (Bid‘ah). Hence, it is religiously necessary to refrain from such practices and to strive to make our actions conform to the Sunnah.

Committing innovations is tantamount to ruining one’s worldly life as well as one’s Hereafter.

16/08/2026

Questions:

Nowadays, keeping cats as pets has become quite common. People keep a beautiful cat in their homes, and both children and adults often carry it around in their arms.

1. Is it permissible in Islam to keep a cat at home?

2. Is it permissible to use the leftover water or food from which a cat has eaten or drunk?

3. If a cat is wet and comes into contact with one’s clothes, can one offer Salah wearing those clothes?

4. Is it permissible to let a cat sleep or sit on one’s bed, and is it permissible to kiss its mouth?

Answer

1. In the situation described, there is no Shariah objection to keeping a cat as a pet.

2. If the cat has not just eaten an animal and then immediately put its mouth into the water, the cat’s leftover water is not considered impure. According to Shariah, it is permissible to use it, although it is makruh tanzihi (mildly disliked).

3. If there is no visible impurity (najasah) on the cat’s body, and its body is wet merely because of sweat or clean water, then if the cat’s body comes into contact with one’s clothes, the clothes will not become impure. Therefore, Salah is valid in those clothes.

4. There is no objection to allowing a cat to sleep or sit on one’s bed. However, kissing a cat on the mouth is contrary to natural human modesty and dignity.

It is stated in Aap Ke Masail Aur Unka Hal:

> Question: A friend of mine came to my house. She was afraid of the cat and sat on a chair with her feet raised. When I asked her why, she said that if a cat touches one’s clothes, they become impure and Salah cannot be offered in them. However, my grandmother said that if the cat is dry, one can offer Salah, but if the cat is wet, the clothes become impure. What does Islam say about this?

> Answer: A cat coming into contact with one’s clothes does not make them impure, whether the cat is dry or wet, provided that there is no visible impurity on the cat’s body.

Reference: Najāsat aur Pākī ke Masāil, Vol. 3, p. 178, published by Maktaba Ludhianvi.

15/08/2026

Today's Hadith

25/07/2026

Answer:
In the given situation, if a person travels more than approximately 77 kilometres from their original hometown with the intention of travel, and continues moving between different cities without intending to stay in any one place for 15 days, then according to Islamic law they remain a traveller (musafir). Therefore, they should shorten (qasr) the four-unit (rak‘ah) obligatory prayers to two rak‘ahs.
As for the statement, “He chooses one city as his place of residence, considers it his second home, cooks there, and spends the nights there,” its meaning needs clarification.
If it means that he has decided to stay there and intends to remain for at least 15 days, then he becomes a resident (muqeem), and he must offer the prayers in full.
However, if he intends to leave before completing 15 days, or is uncertain about how long he will stay, then he remains a traveller (musafir) and should continue offering qasr prayers.
In summary: The intention in the heart to stay for 15 days or more is sufficient to establish residency. It is not necessary to verbally state this intention