What is the Shariah ruling concerning looking at a prospective wife?A- When a man intends to propose to a woman, it is lawful for him to look at her, and there is no difference among scholars concerning this point. But they have differed concerning the extent to which a man is allowed to look at the woman he wants to marry. What matters here is that the majority of scholars maintain that it is permissible to look at the face and the hands only. However, the Hanbalis say that it is permissible to look at what is often apparent of a woman like her neck, hands and feet. And Allah knows best.Q- What is the Shariah ruling concerning the house furniture and other such things that the bridegroom and his bride normally need to start a new marital life?A- The husband is responsible for furnishing the house in which he and his wife live, and this is to be done in accordance with his material means. Almighty Allah says, “Lodge them (the divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means, and do not harm them so as to straiten them (that they be obliged to leave your house).” (65:6) and …but (the father) of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear.” (2:233) However, the wife is not required to contribute in any manner from her own money, and there is no provision which indicates that she must do that. Yet, if she willingly gives something related to the furnishing of the house or anything of that kind, there is no harm in this. And Allah knows best.Q- What are the kinds of riba (usury)?A- Riba is divided into two main types: 1- Riba Al-Nasi'ah, or interest on lent money. This is the interest wherein the lender stipulates that the borrower must pay in return for the delay in payment. This kind of riba is prohibited according to the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the consensus of Muslim scholars. 2- Riba Al-Fadl, that is, taking a superior thing of the same kind by giving more of the same kind of goods of an inferior quality, e.g. dates of superior quality for dates of inferior quality in larger amount. This kind of riba is prohibited as well according to the Sunnah and the consensus of scholars. And Allah knows best.Q- What are the kinds of vow?A- Vow is of two kinds: 1-Absolute or unrestricted vow, by which a man commits himself to do a certain thing without limiting it by a certain thing. For instance, a man says, “I commit myself to offer two rak'ahs (payer units) for the sake of Allah.” 2- Contingent vow and it is that a man commits himself to do a certain thing and makes it contingent on the actualization of some blessing or removal of some calamity. For example, he may say, “If Allah cures my son, I commit myself that I will feed a poor person.” Such contingent vow is detestable in principle as the Prophet (peace be upon him), said, “A vow neither hastens nor delays anything, but by the making of vows, some of the wealth of a miser is taken out.” And Allah knows best.Q- Is it obligatory that the person who has pronounced that Adhan (call for prayer) pronounces Iqama (call to start the prayer) as well?A- This is not obligatory, for it is permissible, as agreed upon by scholars, that Iqama be pronounced whether by the (the person who calls for the prayer) or by anyone else. Yet, it is more proper that the person who has pronounced Adhan pronounces Iqama as well. Al-Tirmidhi has stated that most scholars hold this view. And Allah knows best.– Extracted from 500 Questions and Answers on Islamic Jurisprudence, compiled and translated by Muhammad Abdul
