What is the ruling on praying behind a disliked Imam?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is mildly disliked (Makruh Tanzihan) for a man—other than the permanent designated Imam (Imam Ratib)—to lead people in prayer if the majority of them dislike him due to a religiously blameworthy reason (Amr Madhmum Shar‘an), such as associating with open sinners (Fussaq), for example. As for the followers who dislike him, the prayer behind him is not disliked for them. However, if less than the majority dislike him, or if the majority dislike him for a reason that is not religiously blameworthy, then his leading the prayer is not disliked. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
What is the ruling on performing Tarawih in sets of four rak‘ahs with only one Tasleem?
It is not permissible to combine more than two rak‘ahs with a single Tasleem in Tarawih prayer. Whoever does so, their prayer is invalid. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "If a person prays four rak‘ahs of the Tarawih prayer with a single Tasleem, it is not valid if they did so intentionally and with knowledge [of the prohibition]. Otherwise, it becomes an 'absolute voluntary prayer' (nafl mutlaq); because it is contrary to what has been prescribed." [Nihayat al-Muhtaj, Vol.2/P.127].
What is the ruling on eating from one`s Udhiyah?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
Sacrifices (Udhiyah) are categorized into two types: the Vowed Sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah) and the Voluntary Sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu').
1. The Vowed Sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah)
The vowed sacrifice is obligatory due to the person’s specific oath. It is not permissible for the person offering the sacrifice, nor for those they are legally responsible for financially supporting (dependents), to consume any part of its meat or fat. Furthermore, it is not permissible to benefit from its hide, hair, or any other part.
If they do consume any part of it, they are required to give in charity an equivalent amount of meat or its market value [Tuhfat al-Muhtaj, by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (9/364)].
2. The Voluntary Sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu’)
Regarding the voluntary sacrifice, it is permissible for the one offering it to eat from its meat, distribute it as gifts to the wealthy, and give it as charity to the poor.
The Obligatory Portion: It is mandatory to give at least a small portion of it in charity to the poor; this portion should not be less than approximately half a kilogram of raw meat. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
What are the valid excuses for abstaining from congregational prayer in the mosque?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Concessions (Rukhsah) are granted to abstain from congregational prayer in the mosque due to general excuses, such as: rain that causes hardship in going out, strong winds at night, heavy mud that cannot be traversed without the risk of soiling oneself, hot winds, and extreme heat or cold. There are also specific individual excuses, such as: illness that makes walking as difficult as walking in the rain, severe drowsiness, evident hunger or thirst, the suppression of bodily wastes (urine, stool, or gas), and fear for one's life, limb, physical faculty, wealth, or honor, among other valid excuses. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
