In our region in southern Oman, specifically in the city of Taqah, there is a mosque that they say was built hundreds of years ago. This mosque is surrounded by graves, meaning it is in the middle and the graves are around it. People in our area differ, with some considering it permissible and others considering it forbidden to pray there. Moreover, my grandmother saw in a dream that she entered this mosque..."
Praying in this mosque is valid and and there is reprehensibility in its location so long as no grave exist within it. Besides, Sharia rulings aren't derived out of dreams. And Allah Knows Best.
Is photography forbidden, such as photographs of children?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
If there is a need for taking photographs of children or adults, then this is allowed. However, taking photographs of women shouldn`t be tolerated. Rather, they must be taken while wearing Hijab and must be kept in safe hands. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
What is the ruling on having brotherly ties between a strange man and a strange woman, and is the former considered a Mahram (unmarriageable) to the latter?
Such a relation between a strange man and a strange woman is forbidden in Islam because it involves forbidding what Allah has allowed by marriage, and allowing what Allah has forbidden such as looking and the like. Such a relation doesn`t render any act lawful between them, thus they are forbidden to look at each other, have a Khulwah (seclusion), and travel together.
I wish to Pray at the Mosque, but I couldn't because I am a Woman. How can I get such a Reward?
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions Abdullah Ibn Masood (May Allah be Pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Her prayer inside her home is better than its courtyard, and her prayer in her own bedroom is better than inside her home." [Abu Dawood]. Her staying at home, and not going to the mosque in obedience to Allah`s injunctions entails a great reward similar to that bestowed on a man for going to the mosque since the Mercy and Blessings of Allah Prevails. And Allah Knows Best.
