Topic: Questions about Imam Mahdi

Is Imam Mahdi reality or myth?

According to hadith of the Prophet, Mahdi is real. Although, there are many fabricated and weak ahadith about Mahdi, very few Muslims hold contrary view

Topic: Using a particular book in making dhikr (remembrance of Allah)

Assalam alaikum. I want to ask you these questions. 1- I have read in a book that different names of Allah should be mentioned specific number of times for some definite purpose to be fulfilled.I don't know how they fix this number like for example 1000,376 etc. Is it innovation? 2-One of my teachers have given me a booklet named "Manzil" which contains different verses of Quran arranged in some specific order.The person who has given me this book belongs to tablighi Jamat.I am not in favour of this Jamat as some of their principles are antiislamic.I want to ask whether reading this book is included in innovation or not?One of my friends have told me not to read it .She has recommended Hisn-ul-muslim "Some people here read Quran in a way called "Wazeefa" I will give you an example .They read Durood several times, then they start reading "Surah Yaseen".When the word "Mubeen" comes .They recite "Surah fatiha" ten times and then continues "Surah Yaseen" .This they do on every" mubeen".In the end they again say "Durood"and then supplicate .Is this way of reading Quran permissible?.They say that it should be read on friday.This was one example that I have given you.There are many other types of "Wazaafa".Is iinnovation? Your sincerely, Zainab Shireen.

Dear brother To my best knowledge, the booklet Hisnul-Muslim is a good book of dhikr. You can use it for your daily wazeefa or you can depend on al-Imam an-Nawawi's al-Adhkar or Ibn al-Qayyim's al-Wabil al-Sayyib.

Topic: Baby out of wedlock

I had a baby out of wedlock he is 11 months now and my parents dont know about him how do i go about telling them knowing they are very strict in religion but mostely culture do i even have to tell them how do i live with what i've done and will god forgive me basically where do i go from here.

Dear Sister: I think you should let them know either through someone, by yourself or via a letter. You should express your regret to them and let them know that you sincerely repented to Allah and asked His forgiveness and that you will never do it again. Of course, you should ask Allah's forgiveness (if you have not already done so) before approaching them. If you are not married, you should get married right away. Indeed, if you sincerely repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, He will forgive you out of His mercy. As for the child, you and the father have to take care of him until he can stand on his own feet.

Topic: Hand shake with opposite sex

Assalamu Alikum, What is the Islamic point of view on "hand shake" between male and female? I saw some Arab Muslims shake hands with Muslimahs. Is it a sin? I was avoiding shaking hand with men until now. Now I am going to attend a conferance, and I don't want to be disrespectful toward American culture; I don't want to disrespect my own religion either. Please help me so I can make the right decision.

Dear sister Assalamu Alaykum Shaking hand with opposite sex is not acceptable in Islam. This is based on the hadith of women giving allegiance "bai'ah" to the Prophet(pbuh). When a lady stretched her hand to place her hand in the hand of the Prophet, he said: "Verily, I don't shake hand with women. Some modern scholars use the same hadith to justify shaking hand with the opposite sex assuming that, the prophet did not prohibit shaking hands, but he did not shake. However, some times you find yourself in a situation that you may have no choice but to shake. If that happens, you should let the person know what your position is (for the future) regarding your religion

Question: Males allowed to wear necklaces..??
Are males allowed to wear necklaces and bracelets which are designed for boys and are not made of gold
Answer: Dear Abdullah.. Culturally speaking, if males in your country wear necklaces and bracelets,  you can wear it, if not, then don’t wear it, otherwise you are going to have problems with your   parents and the society you live in.

Question: Du'a for sick mother.

 i am a 28 yr old muslim man,  my question is about my 60 yr old mother.  she has had serious depression on and off for years since her childood.  she is currently taking medication, however these down episodes come back for months at a time.  i am trying to seek a spiritual answer to this depression rather than medication as it is not the ultimate answer.   any information would be sincerely appreciated.

 Dear brother

I will suggest that your mother should see a doctor.  However, she can read the following  du'a in the morning and evenning

"Allaahumma inni a'oodh bika minal-hammi wa al-hazan, wa minal-jubn wal-kasal, wa min ghalabati-ddain wa cahrrir-rijal" . Meaning O Allah indeed, I seek refuge in you from anxiety and grief. I seek refuge from incapacity and laziness and I seek refuge in you from the overcoming burden of debts and overpowering of people.