What is the Sharia (Islamic law) ruling on masturbation?
According to trustful physicians, masturbation is harmful to one`s health, and is forbidden according to the majority of Muslim scholars. Therefore, a Muslim should avoid all that which inflicts harm on him in the life of this world and the Hereafter.
Should Al-Basmalah (i.e. saying Bismillaaahi Ar-Rahmaani Ar-Raheemi) be recited after Takbeerat Al-Ihram (saying Allahuakbar) which marks the beginning of prayer?
All perfect praise be to Allah,The Lord of The Worlds A praying person is obliged to recite Al-Basmalah at the beginning of Chapter Al-Faatihah, and in every Rak`ah (unit of prayer) because it is a verse of it. And Allah Knows Best.
Is it permissible for a woman who is observing `Iddah (waiting period) due to the death of her husband to travel for performing Umrah (Minor Hajj)?
A woman observing `Iddah of a revocable (Rajee`) divorce isn`t allowed to travel for Umrah except with the consent of her husband.
It is stated in the Noble Quran that pork is forbidden for Muslims. Why is that so?
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and He makes certain things allowed for us, while others are declared prohibited. Consequently, He the Almighty wouldn`t make something prohibited unless it is harmful; whether we are made acquainted with the reason or not. Moreover, medical doctors have stated that there are many harms for pork. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.