This is a curated archive of scholarly opinions for educational purposes. SunnahAnswers indexes existing answers from qualified scholars — we do not issue rulings ourselves.
Topics covered
How do I pray Salah step by step?
The Prophet's Prayer Described (Sifat Salat al-Nabi)
The complete book by Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani.
"The description of the Prophet's prayer (ﷺ) has been preserved in detail. The following is a summary based on the methodology of Shaykh al-Albani in his comprehensive work, 'Sifat Salat al-Nabi'. Intention & Qiblah: Face…"
How do I pray Salah step by step?
The Prophet's Prayer Described (Sifat Salat al-Nabi)
Based on the methodology detailed in Shaykh al-Albani's comprehensive book 'Sifat Salat al-Nabi', from the beginning to the end.
"Based on the detailed work of Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, 'The Prophet's Prayer Described', the method of prayer is as follows: Intention and Qiblah: Stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah in Ma…"
Is it permissible to build structures over graves?
Tahdhir as-Sajid min Ittikhadh al-Quboor Masajid (al-Albani's dedicated treatise)
"Building over graves is forbidden, as established by an authentic hadith from Jabir. Likewise plastering them, writing on them, or making them into mosques. All of this leads to shirk and the worship of the dead."
Is it permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr in cash instead of food?
Tamam al-Minnah, p. 379
"Giving Zakat al-Fitr in cash contradicts the explicit Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) specified it from food, and no Companion is known to have substituted cash. We must adhere to the original ruling."
Is it permissible for a man to shake hands with a non-mahram woman?
Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 529
"Shaking hands with a non-mahram woman is haram, even with a barrier between the hands, because the prohibition is on the act itself which leads to fitnah. The hadith of Aisha establishes this clearly."
Is it permissible to make tawassul through the dead and ask them for needs?
at-Tawassul: Anwa'uhu wa Ahkamuhu, pp. 38-45
"Tawassul through the dead is shirk if one asks them directly, and a forbidden innovation if one merely uses their status as a means. The Sahabah, when calamity struck, went to al-Abbas (the living uncle of the Prophet ﷺ)…"
Is it permissible to wipe over socks (not leather khuffs) in wudu?
Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, vol. 6, no. 2895
"Wiping over socks is established by an authentic Sunnah, and there is no condition that they must be thick or unable to be seen through. This was the practice of the Companions, and the hadith is sahih."
Does touching one's wife break wudu?
Tamam al-Minnah fi at-Ta'liq ala Fiqh as-Sunnah, p. 99
"The correct view is that touching one's wife absolutely does not break the wudu, regardless of desire. The hadith of Aisha is authentic and decisive on this point."
Does bleeding from the body break wudu?
Tamam al-Minnah, p. 102
"Bleeding does not invalidate wudu. There is no authentic evidence that the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered wudu to be renewed because of bleeding from a wound or nosebleed."
Does eating or drinking forgetfully break the fast?
Tamam al-Minnah, p. 418
"Forgetful eating or drinking does not break the fast. The hadith of Abu Hurairah is decisive: it is provision from Allah and no make-up is required."
What is the ruling on listening to music with instruments?
Tahrim Alat at-Tarab, p. 142 (chapter on stringed instruments)
"All musical instruments are haram, with the exception of the duff at weddings and Eid for women. The hadith of al-Bukhari is sahih and refutes the doubts of those who try to make music permissible."
Is the niqab (face veil) obligatory or recommended?
Jilbab al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah, pp. 19-22
"Covering the face is recommended (mustahabb), not obligatory. The face and hands of the woman were exempted, as is the position of the majority of the Companions and the Tabi'in. The verse of the jilbab refers to general…"
Is it permissible to pray in shoes?
Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 2538
"Praying in shoes is an established Sunnah that has been abandoned. The hadith of Abu Sa'id is clear: the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed in his sandals. If they are clean, one may pray in them; if there is any najasah, he should remo…"
Is celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) permissible?
Silsilat al-Ahadith ad-Da'ifah, vol. 8, on the fabricated narrations of Mawlid
"The Mawlid is bid'ah without doubt. Every bid'ah is misguidance, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said in his khutbah on every Friday. There is no good in any innovation in the religion, no matter how it is dressed up."
What is the ruling on one who abandons prayer intentionally?
Hukm Tarik as-Salah, pp. 56-60
"Abandoning the prayer is a great sin and the gravest of major sins, but the one who abandons it out of laziness — while affirming its obligation — does not exit Islam by that alone. He is a faasiq deserving severe punish…"
Is it permissible for a man to wear his trousers below the ankles?
Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 1568
"Isbal is haram absolutely — there is no isbal that is permissible. The condition of "out of pride" mentioned in some narrations is a description of the worst form, not a condition for the prohibition itself."
Is zakat obligatory on a woman's gold jewelry that she wears?
Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 559
"Zakat is obligatory on gold jewelry that reaches the nisab, even if it is for adornment. The hadith of the woman with the two bracelets is authentic and clear in its indication."
Is it permissible to eat meat slaughtered by Christians and Jews?
Recorded Q&A, Silsilat al-Huda wan-Nur, tape 32
"The verse permits their food generally, but with the condition of proper Shar'i slaughter. Where the modern slaughterhouses violate this — by electric shock or improper killing — the meat becomes haram regardless of who…"