Performing Ablution of Wuḍū while Ablutionary Body Parts Are Covered with Sunscreen
question 1| Does the presence of sunscreen on the ablutionary body parts hamper the valid performance of wuḍū?
answer| If the lotion is absorbed by the skin, such that the surface of the skin is free from any oily substance that would prevent water from reaching the skin, the application of sunscreen does not hamper the valid performance of wuḍū.
Dedicating Land for Use as Mosque
question 2| In order to consecrate a piece of land as a mosque, is there a specific formula (ṣīghah) that must be said?
answer| For consecrating a piece of land as a mosque, uttering a particular verbal formula is not a necessary condition. It is possible to execute an actional consecration. An actional (muʻāṭātī) consecration consists in (1) relinquishing control of the land with the intention that it be used as the site for the construction of a mosque and (2) then performing a canonic prayer on that land, prior or subsequent to the construction of the mosque building, with the intention that the land is now designated as a mosque. Once this procedure is carried out, the land is irrevocably consecrated as a mosque, and thus it would be impermissible to alter the waqf and use the land for other than a mosque.
Experiencing Sleep Orgasm in Mosque
question 3| What is one’s duty if one has a wet dream while sleeping in a mosque?
answer| If one experiences a sleep orgasm (iḥtilām) in a mosque, one must leave the mosque immediately upon waking up.
Payment of Khums Due on Child’s Wealth
question 4| A father offers a gift of money to his minor child, depositing it on the child’s behalf in a bank account. Is the interest that accrues to this deposited amount subject to khums? If so, is the father responsible for paying the khums that is due?
answer| The father has no responsibility in this relation. The khums due on the interest that accrues to the deposited money must—as a matter of mandatory caution (iḥtīyāṭ wājib)—be paid by the child after he reaches the age of puberty, provided that the interest in question remains in his ownership until that time.
Women’s Engagement in Social Activities
question 5| What is the rule concerning women’s participation in social activities involving religious and cultural matters?
answer| Women’s participation in social activities, if it is in compliance with religious rules and norms and if there is no legitimate concern that it may lead to sin, is per se permissible. Yet, every time a woman wants to leave the house, she must secure her husband’s permission.
Canonic Impurity Affecting the Interior of the Mouth
question 6| If after a dental procedure, such as the pulling of a tooth, some blood appears in the mouth, do we need to purify the interior of the mouth?
answer| As a general rule, the purification (taṭhīr) of a canonic impurity from the interior of the mouth is achieved simply by the removal or dissipation of the impurity (ʻayn al-najāsah) in question, even if it is by virtue of its dissolution (istihlāk) in the mouth’s saliva. There is no need to rinse the mouth with water.
Blood under Nail
question 7| Is the blood that appears under the fingernail or toenail due to some impact canonically impure?
answer| If the aforementioned blood that appears under the nails is such that in the common perception of the general public it is not characterizable as blood, it is canonically pure. But if it is characterizable as blood and if it is such that water can make contact with it, then in order to perform the ablutions of wuḍū and ghusl, the blood must be drained, if doing so does not involve inordinate hardship (mashaqqah). But if it does involve inordinate hardship, water must be applied to the area surrounding the nail in a way that does not spread the canonic impurity, and then the worshipper must cover the injured area with a cloth or a similar material and rub his wet hand over it with the intention that he is performing an ablution.
Doubt regarding Canonic Purity of Imported Leather
question 8| Are imported leather and leather products canonically pure if we are uncertain as to whether they are derived from a properly slaughtered carcass?
answer| If it is certain or possible that the imported leather is derived from a properly slaughtered carcass, it is canonically pure. If, however, such certainty or possibility does not exist, it is canonically impure.
Women’s Performance of Wuḍū in the Presence of non-Maḥram Men
9. Did you know …
Women must perform the ablution of wuḍū in a place and in such a manner that those parts of their body that must be covered in public are not left exposed in the presence of non-maḥram men. If a woman fails to take the necessary precautions when performing wuḍū and as a result her body is seen by non-maḥram men, she has sinned, but the wuḍū she has performed is valid.