Does collecting saliva and swallowing it break the fast?
Swallowing collected saliva does not break the fast, but it is an unnecessary and meaningless act.
What is the Islamic ruling on smearing the head of the newborn with the blood of the `Aqiqah?
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is disliked (makrūh) to smear the head of the newborn with the blood of the 'aqīqah, as this is a practice that belongs to the customs of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah). What is Sunnah instead is to anoint the newborn's head with saffron or another pleasant fragrance. And Allah Almighty knows best.
Is it recommended (mustaḥabb) for the one offering a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from its meat?
Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
It is recommended (mustaḥabb) — not obligatory — for the one offering a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from it. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "So eat from them and feed the desperate (qāniʿ) and the beggar (muʿtarr). Thus We have subjected them to you that you may be grateful."— [Sūrat al-Ḥajj (22): 36]
Explanation of terms:
Al-Qāniʿ — the poor person who does not ask people for money, food..eccetera.(beg)
Al-Muʿtarr — the poor person who does ask people for money, food..eccetera (begs)
And Allah Almighty knows best.
Is a woman sinful if she fasts out of shyness from her family while menstruating or in postnatal bleeding?
It is forbidden for a woman who is menstruating or in postnatal bleeding to abstain from food and drink with the intention of fasting. If she fasts out of shyness, she is sinful, as her fast is not valid.
However, if she refrains from eating and drinking without intending to fast, it is not forbidden, but she unnecessarily burdens herself without need.
