Manar-AL-Islam

Treating an Ill Relative from Zakat
Money
Our deceased sister left money for Zakat
payment. We have another sister who is in
need for surgery and cannot afford it. Is it
acceptable to cover surgery cost from Zakat
money
In general, an ill person who cannot afford health
care expenses is entitled to zakat money. Zakat
money is usually given to the poor. If poverty is
combined with illness, he/she should be given
priority in zakat distribution.
Therefore, your ill and destitute sister may cover
her treatment expenses from zakat money. Please
be advised, dear brother, that relatives are always
given priority in zakat or any charitable money.
Allah knows best.
In summary, your deceased sister left money for
zakat. Your ill and poor sister is eligible for zakat
money to cover her treatment expenses.
Buying Forged University Degree
My father wants me to buy a forged university
degree from abroad. He told me that he made
Istikhara prayer and he felt good about it. Is
this act permissible
It is strictly prohibited to buy a forged university
degree for the sake of pleasing your father. It is an
act of fraud and cheating, Cheating and deception
are despicable characteristics that are beneath a
decent person. Accepting the guidance of Islam
leads a person to truthfulness, which means a
person completely avoids cheating. The Prophet
of Islam said “Anyone who cheats us is not one of
us,” Even if your father encourages you to cheat,
be aware that cheating is a heinous sin this is
denounced in Islam. Even your father is bound to
give you wrong advice, thus deceive you.
Therefore, A Muslim who has true Islamic
sensitivities avoids deceit, cheating, treachery,
and lying no matter what benefits or profits such
activities might bring him, because Islam consider
those guilty of such deeds to be hypocrites.
In summary, your father is pushing you to cheat
and it is a wrong advice. A Muslim should value
himself/herself too highly to be among those who
cheat.
Islam and the People of the Book
(Jews and Christians)
What is the relations with People of the Book
in Islam
Even though Islam is the true and final message
of Allah, Muslims must be tolerant and moderate
with followers of other divine messages. In no
way Muslims are to force anyone to believe or
to become Muslim. Men are free to do whatever
they want and they are held to account for their
deeds only by Allah, the Exalted, who says in the
Holy Quran:”There is no compulsion in religion.
Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the
wring path.”(2:256). The attitude of Muslims in the
Qur’an towards the people of the book (Jews and
Christians) is prescribed in the following manner:”
And do not argue with the People of the Book
except with the best means, unless it be with those
of them who transgress: But say:” We believe in
the revelation which has come down to us and in
which came down to you: Our God and Your God
is one, and it is unto Him we submit ourselves as
Muslims.” (29:46).
We are living at a time in which people of different
beliefs, nations, colors and ethnic origins live side
by side in a global village. Islam calls for all people
to live peacefully with each other whatever their
differences might be.” O mankind! We created you
14