What are the days on which fasting is prohibited? A- The Islamic Shariah has prohibited fasting on certain days as follows: 1- The day of fast-breaking or the first day of the days of Eid Al-Fitr, (Lesser Bairam). 2- The Day of Sacrifice along with the three days of Tashriq: these are the days of the Greater Bairam and the three days right after it. 3- It is prohibited to observe fasting on Friday alone, i.e., to single out Fridays for fasting. 4- It is prohibited to observe fasting on the day of doubt, i.e. the day concerning which people doubt whether it is the last day of the month of Sha'ban or the first day of Ramadan. Q- What is the wisdom behind the prohibition of consuming the flesh of swine? A- Since the pig relishes filth and offal, its meat is repugnant to all pople of decent taste. Moreover, recent medical research has shown that eating swine-flesh is injurious to health in all climates, especially hot ones. Scientific research has also shown that pork carries a deadly parasite. Perhaps science may discover in the future things that will shed more light on the wisdom behind this prohibition. In addition to this, there are some scholars who say that eating pork frequently diminishes the man's sense of shame in relation to what is indecent behavior. And Allah knows best. Q- Shariah stipulation concerning woman's right to half of the sadaq (dower)? A- The wife has the right to get half of her sadaq, if she is divorced before consummation of marriage while the sadaq has been stipulated in the marriage contract. Almighty Allah say: “And if you divorce them before you have touched (had a sexual relation with) them, and you have appointed unto them the Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), then pay half of that (Mahr), unless they (the women) agree to forego it, or he (the husband), in whose hands is the marriage tie, agrees to forego and give her full appointed Mahr. And to forego and give (her the full Mahr) is nearer to At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). And do not forget liberality between yourselves. Truly, Allah is All-Seer of what you do.” (2:237). Q -What are the recommended manners of drinking liquids? A- The following may be the most important of the recommendations related to drinking as derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah: 1- To recite the bismalah (Bismillhir Rahmanir Raheem) before starting to drink. 2- To use the right hand for drinking water or any liquid. 3- To drink while sitting because this is better, yet it is permissible to drink while standing. 4- To drink in three breaths during each you breathe outside the vessel or the glass from which you drink, because it is “more thirst-quenching, healthier, and more wholesome” as Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said. 5- Not to breathe into the vessel or the glass from which you drink. 6- Not to drink from the head of the bottle. 7- While serving, to start with those who are on one's right side when giving people the drink. 8- To be the last to drink if you happen to be the one who is serving a drink to people. 9- To praise Allah after drinking. i.e., say Alhamdulillah. Q- What is the Shariah ruling concerning wiping over bandages? A- For the purpose of making things easy for the Muslim, Islam allows him to wipe over bandages (during ablution) over a wound because under such circumstance, the bandaged wounds need cicatrization (the process of healing) and recovery and this requires that they should not be washed with water every now and then. That is why the Prophet, peace be upon him, allowed Ali Bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, to wipe over the bandage when his wrist was broken on the day of the battle of Uhud. – Extracted from 500 Questions and Answers on Islamic Jurisprudence, complied and translated by Muhammad Abdul
