Just what is allowed and not allowed in Islam? Addressing some commonly asked questions

               Just what is allowed in Islam? Addressing some commonly asked questions

Islamic doctrine asserts that Islam- surrender to God's will- has come forth through all messengers, finding its completion and perfection with the coming of the final scripture (Qur'an) to the final Prophet (Muhammad, Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam).  In many ways, the Prophet Muhammad is like the Prophet Moses, upon both be peace, in that both have comprehensive legal systems associated with their teachings. It is the desire to obey Allah Almighty that has inspired the development of such systems. In these regards, we differ from Christianity, which largely has focused upon personal salvation, attainable through belief in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

This article does not seek to go into detail regarding legal issues, rather it will address commonly asked questions that center on issues such as dress, gender interaction, and cultural expressions. It should be noted that the premise of this article centers around two Quranic assertions, important verses which we have tended to marginalize insofar as understanding and applying Islam is concerned.

One of those verses reads:  " Say: My Lord has only consistently forbidden (harrama) immoral actions (Al-Fawaahisha), what is open as well as what is hidden (batan), sin and transgressions unjustly, that you associate with Allah that which He has sent down no authority, and that you speak about Allah what you do not know." (Q 7:33).

 

This shows us that God is not petty! The above text shows a general principle that Allah has prioritized that certain actions and attitudes are to be avoided, as they cause social and personal chaos. We have repeatedly presented as examples intoxicants, gambling, and the like, as contemporary problems that, if removed, would greatly benefit social stability.

The contrast is given in the text which borders the above citation, in which Almighty Allah asserts: " Say: Who has consistently forbidden (harrama) the attractive (items of) God (zeenatullah), which He has produced for his servants, and wholesome (tayyibaat) items from his provision? Say: they are for those who have faith (alladheena Aamanoo) in this life, and exclusively for them on the day of standing. Thus, We (Allah) does clarify signs for a people of knowledge." (Q 7:32)

 

Whatever is goodly, attractive and wholesome, that which benefits the physical, spiritual and social health of a person, this is welcomed by Allah! It is created by God for us to benefit from. If the two Quranic verses are remembered, in general we should have no problems in living by the religion of Islam.

 

It should be noted that cultural and personal tastes will naturally vary, so that factors in how we accept and judge things. Information on certain subjects will likewise has variance. Our judgements of what is lawful and what is lawful from a religious angle should likewise have evidence from the religious texts.

DRESS

Q1What is the dress code for Muslim women?

Islam teaches that in public, modest dress should be observed. Practically this means the hair and body. The Quranic texts assert that the reason for this dress code is to be viewed with respect (24:31), a means of protection from harassment and the like ( 33:59). A hadeeth of the Prophet further states that in public, only the hands, face and feet should be visible (Sunan Abu Dawud 4104).

Any cultural or personal style is acceptable from an Islamic perspective so long as the above requirements are met, and indeed, we find great diversity amongst Muslims in dress fashion. 

Q2 What is the dress code for men?

There is no text which directly addresses this, however there is consensus among the scholars that clothing should not be revealing, that the area between the navel and knees be covered. Many countries have laws against men going shirtless in public, and that is certainly a part of typical Muslim thinking as well. 

Q3 Do men have to wear headgear?

To our knowledge, there is nothing in the Qur'an or hadeeth literature which commands this. However, the literature does say the Prophet covered his hair, and certainly the head-coverings found in the Arab world offer protection from the weather elements. The covering of the head for men was considered (and in some places is still considered) good manners, and there has been scholars who historically considered abandonment of it to be an act of transgression (fisq). 

Moreover, there are also scholars, in particular of the Hanafi school of thought, who assert that it is preferable (mustahab) to offer prayers with a covered head. 

Yet, it is our view that the head coverings, as found in different forms throughout the Muslim world, is a cultural symbol, with little bearing on one's Islamic observance.

Q4 Are Suits and ties allowed?

There is no convincing evidence that the suit and tie is forbidden. The West has culture just as the East does, and as long as the requirements mentioned in Q2 are met, it should be fine.

Some have argued that the tie in particular is a symbol of the Christian cross, however there is no convincing proof of this. Others have taken the tie as a symbol of Western colonialism and is thusly frowned upon in places such as Iran. If one is convinced of the latter as an argument, then it is simply a matter of choice and preference, rather than religious mandate.

Q5 Pants above the ankles?

In the time of the Prophet, dragging one's garment (called isbaal in Arabic) was a way of showing off, a display of arrogance, and it is this attitude which was condemned by the Prophet. This explanation is almost universally recognized among Muslims, which is why generally full-length pants and garments are abundant.  Thus, we see no problem in this, if there is no arrogant display taking place. 

Q6 Can Muslim men wear gold and silk?

Although not mentioned in the Qur'an, it is forbidden by the Prophet in the hadeeth literature. In normal circumstances, men are the ones conducting business and activities in public life, and the wearing of gold and silk, especially in excessive fashion, can generate jealousy and even crime. Thus, we view it as forbidden (haraam), and best for Muslims to avoid.

Gender interaction

Q7 Is handshaking between the genders allowed?

In many Muslim cultures, particularly in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, it is inappropriate to have any physical contact with the opposite sex outside of one's family. 

Moreover, in the Shafi'ee school (dominant in Far East Asia), even a small touch, such as from a handshake, annuls one's ablution (Wudoo').  So, from a practical perspective, depending on one's surroundings, it may best be avoided, to prevent socially awkward situations.

There is no direct hadeeth on this issue, and the report usually cited to forbid handshaking between members of the opposite sex is disputed both in its content (matn) and its transmission (Isnaad).

In the West, as well as the professional world, it is deemed impolite to refuse a handshake. Moreover, as mentioned above, the report usually cited in order to forbid it is seriously disputed. Thus, it is our view that there's no problem with shaking hands. Those who take the Shafi'ee position (that even an accidental touch annuls one's Wudoo, as distinct from the other madhaahib who assert that it is sexual intercourse which renders purity void) find themselves at hardships in certain situations such as in Makkah and Madinah during Hajj time, when the crowds always push people towards each other. Some Shafi'ee scholars, as a result, take the position of the other schools just in that occasion.

Islam is a practical, easy faith, and it is not necessary for us to make it harder. Therefore, our advice is contingent upon location and context. In an of itself, we see handshaking as okay, this is also the fatwa from Al Azhar university, but one must be cognizant of local realities, which may demand NO handshakes or those in which handshakes would be required. 

Q8 Can a Muslim woman propose marriage to a man?

There is no problem with this.  Indeed, Khadijah (Radee Allahu 'Anhaa) did this very thing with Muhammad, a younger man, before the Prophethood.  

Q9 Is a guardian (wali) needed for a woman in marriage?

In three of the four Sunni schools yes, but in the Hanafi school it is not a requirement when the woman is deemed mature and intelligent (Baalighah Raashidah). The presence of a guardian is to look for the best interests of the female, who usually marries young and without life experiences. A woman with maturity and intelligence is free to conduct her life as she sees fit, so long as in keeping with Islamic values. Thus, the Hanafi view (as articulated in the Mukhtasar of Al Qudoori) is very logical.

Q10 Can there ever be communication/interaction between men and women?

Religiously, this is not a problem, however, this also depends upon the cultural surroundings. One must be cognizant of this, regardless of one's religious views. In any case, there is much evidence from the sources that show that interaction of this level is not a problem. Indeed, the Prophet's wife, Sayyidah 'Aa'ishaa, led an army (the battle of Jamal). There had to be communication between her and the commanders. She herself is a major source of hadeeth transmission, that would have to be communicated to men! These examples should be sufficient from a religious perspective.

Q11 What evidence is required from an Islamic perspective to prove adultery (Zinaa)?

The requirements are very strict, four witnesses (see Q 24:4,13) must see actual intercourse (dukhool). Other actions do not count as "zinaa". 

There is great wisdom in this, in that it limits false accusations to be leveled, and also allows for any potential issues to be resolved with the involved parties, rather than making a public spectacle.

Q12 Does a woman's voice constitute 'Awrah (something to be hidden)?

There is no evidence for that from the Qur'an or Sunnah. 

Cultural expressions

Q13 Is Music lawful?

There have been many authorities which consider it to be forbidden (Haraam), on the basis of some reports in the hadeeth literature, as well as an interpretation of the term Lahwil Hadeeth which appears in the Qur'an (31:6). However, the reports have been disputed since almost the very beginning of the Muslim intellectual history. Great scholars such as Imam Al Ghazali (see Ihyaa Uloom id deen )have praised the value of music, and the Quranic text mentioned above has no actual relation to music.

It is our view that immoral music is what is forbidden, as it encourages social disorder. This is the view of many great scholars and finds articulation by Shaikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi in his work Al Halaal wal Haraam Fil Islaam. 

Q 14 Can holidays other than the two Eids be observed by Muslims?

This depends on the nature of the occasion. Most occasions are secular in nature, and involve needed family and social interaction, which is encouraged by Islam. It is our view that holidays and occasions such as birthdays, national holidays, anniversaries, are not problematic at all. 

It can be argued that Christmas is a problem, but it is one easily solved. This question is particularly relevant for Muslims who have converted to Islam from a Christian background. One can join one's family in the social aspect (dinners for example), but not the religious aspect (church communion and the like). Simply skip the religious aspect, if there are any present.

Q15 What about Tattoos?

Some people get tattoos of their spouse's names, and other decorations. It is our understanding that such actions are haraam because they permanently alter one's body from its natural form. More importantly, scholars have given- as evidence for declaring it to be haraam, the Quranic assertion "Do not alter God's creation" (Q 30:30).

If one already has tattoos, it is in the past. However, we advise all readers not to get more tattoos. 

Q16 Can widows remarry?

In some cultures, this is frowned upon, however, there is nothing in the Qur'an or Sunnah which forbids it. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam himself married widows.