Contemporary Fatwas

Is it permissible to draw faces?

It is permissible as long as it is not something done by the soul alone.

In vitro fertilization

He has five daughters and wants to undergo in vitro fertilization to have a son. What is the ruling?

It is permissible for him to do so.

Inscription on the grave

What is the ruling on inscribing on a grave “May he be forgiven by His permission, so-and-so” and the date of death? May Allah reward you with good.

There is no objection to writing the name and date.

Trimming the eyebrows

What is the ruling on trimming the ends of the eyebrows rather than plucking them? Is it permissible or not?

It is permissible as long as it is excess beyond the norm.

Charity

Is it permissible to give charity on behalf of my father, my son, and my brother, i.e., to include them in the reward of a small combined amount?

They must be included in the reward of the charity.

Rinsing the mouth

I had a molar extracted, and the doctor informed me that I am forbidden to rinse my mouth. How then should I perform ablution?

Rinsing the mouth is a sunnah (recommended act), not a condition for the validity of ablution.

Donating hair

Is it permissible to donate hair for cancer patients after cutting it?

It is not permissible, but it is permissible for them to use synthetic hair.

Killing dogs

Is it permissible to kill stray dogs with poison in food?

If their harm cannot be repelled except by killing them with poison or any other method that does not involve torture.

There are differing narrations regarding the killing of dogs, and scholars have also differed on this matter. A group of scholars, including Abdullah ibn Umar and Malik ibn Anas, held that the command to kill all dogs is in effect, except for those mentioned in the Hadith as permissible to keep for hunting and guarding livestock. Their evidence is the Hadith of Ibn Shihab from Nafi’ from his father, who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) raising his voice, commanding the killing of dogs.” Ubaydullah ibn Umar narrated from Nafi’ from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the killing of dogs and sent messengers to the outskirts of the city to kill them. The command to kill them was also issued during the caliphates of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthmayn (may Allah be pleased with them). Another group of scholars held that the command to kill dogs is abrogated, except for the black dog with two spots, which must be killed. The “black dog with two spots” refers to a devil, and the specific black dog is known by its blackness and the two spots above its eyes.

In my view, if a dog is useful, such as dogs for guarding livestock and hunting, and there is no harm from it that cannot be avoided, it is not permissible to kill it, as that would be frivolous, and its existence brings benefit. However, if its harm predominates, such as if it trespasses on others’ property, it must be killed. As for others, I do not see it permissible to kill them, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “While a man was walking on a road, he became extremely thirsty. He found a well, descended into it, drank, and when he came out, he saw a dog panting and eating dirt from thirst. The man said, ‘This dog has reached the same level of thirst as I did.’ So he descended into the well, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth until he climbed up, and gave the dog water to drink. Allah appreciated this act and forgave him.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, do we receive reward for serving animals?” He replied, “There is a reward for serving any living creature with a warm liver.”