The Chador of Women during Prayer
Should the Chador of a woman during prayer be in the way that her body is not visible from any side? And is it necessary to cover the ornaments of her face and hands during prayer in a place where there are no non-maḥrams present?
It is necessary for women to cover all of the body except the face, the hands up to the wrist and the feet up to the instep. Further, a woman’s body must be covered from all four sides during prayer and if ornaments are worn over the clothing they can be kept during prayers.
Having Fecal Bag during Prayer
A person, has had a major intestine surgery, and their rectum is blocked and their feces is collected in a bag; how should such a person perform their prayer?
There is no issue with this if the bag is carried with them. Furthermore, if the body is contaminated they should wash it if it is not too difficult for them, and if it is too difficult for them to wash their body, they can perform their prayer in whatever state they are in.
Difference between Mosque and Hussainiyyah
Why it is not permitted to do what can be done in a mosque in hussainiyyah (place of mourning Imam Husayn (‘a), and vice versa? Because if it is permitted we can have one place which can be used both as a mosque and a husainiyyah in order to prevent the wastage of land and costs of building.
There are some limitations for women and sometimes for men for entering mosques; however, there are much fewer limitations for entering hussainiyyahs. Of course one will be granted a much greater reward for performing prayer in the mosque compared to a husainiyyah and this is why both kinds of building are constructed.
Purification of the Genitals with a Piece of Cloth after Urination
In case an ill person cannot wash himself/herself with water after urinating because of some reason, can they purify their body with a cloth and perform prayer afterwards?
Under the mentioned condition, which is a necessary condition, there is no issue with this kind of purification.
Performing Prayers in a Standing Position with an Artificial Leg
Sometimes, handicap persons who use artificial legs and perform prayer in a standing position get tired and because of the possibility of injury they remove the artificial leg and perform their prayers in a sitting position. Is it obligatory for these people to always perform their prayers in a standing position with the help of artificial legs or is it permissible for them to perform their prayers in a sitting position in these cases?
If it is not too difficult for them, they need to perform their prayers in standing position, even though they do it by using a cane and the like. However, if it causes them much difficulty and discomfort, they can perform their prayers in a sitting position.
Performing Prayers with Black Clothing
Wearing black clothing for prayer is makrūh; does it also apply to black Chadors worn by women and black cloaks worn by clerics?
It is well-known that wearing black clothing for prayer is makrūh and the reason behind it applies to both men and women; but cloak is an exception and it is likely that black Chador is also an exception.
Persons who Cannot Perform their Prayers in the Direction of the Qiblah
What is the ruling concerning those injured or handicap persons who cannot perform their prayers in the direction of the qiblah under any circumstances?
In that case, they can perform their prayers in any direction.
To Construct a Mosque on a Land that is Devoted to the Mourning Ceremonies held for Imam Husayn (‘a)
Is it permissible to build a mosque on a land that is devoted (as waqf) to the mourning ceremonies held for Imam Husayn (‘a)?
If it is possible, rent the land for the purpose of building the mosque from its custodian, and if there is no custodian then rent it from the religious authority and some of trusted people of that neighborhood need to sign that contract in order not to be forgotten. So, each year the rent that is paid must be used for holding mourning ceremonies for Imam Husayn (‘a). Moreover, the duration of the rental agreement should be specified and limited so that it can be renewed after the expiration of that period.
The Necessary Cover for Men and Women
What is the necessary cover according to Islam and what kind of clothing is the proper cover for men and women? Are wigs that some women wear considered to be a proper cover of their natural hair?
According to the Islamic law, in order to be properly covered, women must cover all of the body except the face and hands. Furthermore, some coverings, such as wigs, that are worn as ornaments are not enough. Similarly, clothes that are considered to be ornamental clothes are not enough. Proper cover for men, on the other hand, includes clothes that cover those parts of the body that are commonly covered by Muslims. Therefore covering the head, the hands, and arms (in short-sleeve shirts) and the like is not obligatory for men.
A Person who Doesn’t Perform Prayer in the Direction of Qiblah
If a person stands in a direction other than the direction of the qiblah and we know the correct direction is it our duty to tell him/her? Is the act of enjoining the good and prohibiting the evil necessary here?
It is not necessary but it is better to correct their mistake.
Qiblah in Non-Muslim Countries
In which direction should Muslims of Los Angeles who live in west of America perform their prayers in order to be correctly aligned towards the qiblah? Albeit, famous qiblah-finders like “Razm Ara” and others show the direction of the qibla for New York which is situated on the east coast of America. The qibla for Los Angeles which is a six–hour-flight f r o m New York cannot be found using these devices. This is why people don’t know exactly what their duty is, and they perform their prayers toward just any direction according to the verse “اَیْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ”1 (so whithersoever you turn, there is the face of Allah); What is the duty of these people?
Stand in the direction which is well-known among the Muslims as the direction of the qiblah and that would be enough.
