Is it permissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling?
It is impermissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling because a person is called a traveler once he/she departs the borders of his/her country, and offering prayer that way was originally intended to exempt a traveler. And Allah Knows Best.
Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?
Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.
I married a man and had two children; however, we got separated four years ago. In addition, my husband`s brother, paternal uncle of my children, has been providing for them ever since. In fact, he is an honest, well-behaved man. Is it permissible that we get married although his brother (My ex-husband) is still alive?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is temporarily prohibited for a woman to marry her stepbrother. Therefore, once she receives Talaq Ba`in (Irrevocable divorce), she is allowed to marry her stepbrother, even if his brother (First husband) is still alive. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
What is teh ruling on thoughtless oath?
One who swears by Allah unintentionally and isn`t determined to fulfill his oath, nothing is due on him. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing." [Al-Baqarah/225]. However, it is dispraised for a Muslim to swear frequently.
