I have been hearing mixed fatawa on the issue of alcohol in food. Some foods — such as vanilla ice cream — contain very tiny amounts of alcohol from the vanilla extract which is used. If you ate tons of this food you there would still not be enough alcohol in the food to get you drunk. Is it permissible to eat these foods?
Sh. Uthaymeen gave a fatwa which said: \"If a small quantity of alcohol is so submerged in something else that is has no tangible or theoretical effect, then the substance keeps the ruling that is in accordance with its own attributes. As for the hadeeth that states 'Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, then a small quantity of it is forbidden\', this refers to a certain beverage that intoxicates when someone drinks a lot of it but not when he drinks a little. It is unlawful to drink a small quantity of such a beverage, because even though a small quantity cannot make a person drunk, it can lead to drinking larger quantities.\" Also, a fatwa allowing this can be found on islamtoday.com
(http://www.islamtoday.com/showme2.cfm?cat_id=2&sub_cat_id=561) Jazzakum Allah Khair

All praise be to Allah and may His peace and blessings be on His final and greatest messenger, Muhammad.
Dear Enquirer,
It is important to know that khamr is not only Alcohol and Alcohol is not all khamr. The khamr that was present during the time of the messenger of Allah was made mainly of dates and grapes, thus the Hanafi scholars limit the use of the term “khamr” to drinks made of them, but they still forbid intoxication by any drink.
The majority of scholars – and that is clearly the stronger position – consider all intoxicants to be khamr, for the Prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
" كل مُسْكِر خَمْر ، وكل مُسْكِرٍ حَرَام."
“Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is haraam.” [Reported by Muslim] Thus, the majority would consider haraam any amount of a beverage that intoxicates, whether it is fermented from cooked juices or from uncooked materials like honey, wheat, barley, millet, or figs. This is the right position based on the following hadeeth reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim:
عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى قَالَ : بَعَثَنِي النَّبِيُّ  أَنَا وَمُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ ، فَقُلْتُ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنَّ شَرَابًا يُصْنَعُ بِأَرْضِنَا يُقَالُ لَهُ الْمِزْرُ مِنْ الشَّعِيرِ ، وَشَرَابٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ الْبِتْعُ مِنْ الْعَسَلِ ، فَقَالَ : " كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ ."
Abu Musa said: The Prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent me and Mu’adh ibn Jabal to al-Yaman, and I said: O Messenger of Allah, there is a drink that is made in our land called al-mizr, and made from barley, and another drink called al-bit’, and made from honey. He (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Every intoxicant is haraam.”
At the time of the prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) solid or gaseous substances that cause intoxication were not known, so when they became first known (hashishah = cannabis) to the Muslim scholars, the most learned of them did not hesitate to include them under the terminology of khamr, so they became automatically forbidden by the textual proofs that forbid khamr, or at least they included them under the ruling of khamr by analogy (Qiyas).
Imam Ibn Taymeah said:
“وأما المحققون من الفقهاء فعلموا أنها [الحشيشة] مسكرة ، وإنما يتناولها الفجار ، لما فيها من النشوة والطرب ، فهي تجامع الشراب المسكر في ذلك. والخمر توجب الحركة والخصومة ، وهذه توجب الفتور واللذة ، وفيها مع ذلك من فساد المزاج والعقل ، وفتح باب الشهوة ، وما توجبه من الدياثة مما يجعلها من شر الشراب المسكر ، وإنما حدثت في الناس بحدوث التتار. وعلى تناول القليل منها والكثير حد الشرب ، ثمانون سوطا ، أو أربعون إذا كان مسلما يعتقد تحريم المسكر "
“The verifying scholars recognized that it [hashish=cannabis] is an intoxicant, and only consumed by the wicked, because of the euphoria it brings, so, it is like intoxicating drinks. Khamr causes increased energy and quarrels, whereas this causes lassitude and enjoyment, but it still has the characteristics of corrupting the mood and intoxicating the mind as well as exacerbating lustful desires and causing one to have no jealousy for his household. All of this would make it even worse than intoxicating drinks. This [the appearance of hashish in Muslim lands] came along with the advent of the Tatars. The one who consumes a little or a lot of it deserves the punishment prescribed for drinking: eighty or forty lashes, if he were a Muslim who believes in the prohibition of intoxicants.” [al-Fatawa al-Kubra: 3/423]
The position of giving all drugs the name of khamr is stronger and supported by the Prophet’s saying “Every intoxicant is khamr.”
That is the first part that needed clarification, which is that khamr refers to all intoxicants.
As for Alcohol, there are so many types of Alcohol. The Alcohol that was present in the khamr during the time of the Messenger of Allah, and in modern time alcoholic beverages is Ethyl Alcohol, or more precisely, Ethanol.
The word Alcohol was not used during the time of the Messenger, and we need to know some about it to clarify any confusion that may result in mistaken judgment.
Obviously, and as admitted by the western scientists, the word has an Arabic origin. The al– in alcohol indicates the Arabic descent, for “al-” in Arabic is a definite article corresponding to “the” in English.
The origin of the word cohol may have to do with “kuhl”, which is a fine powder mostly made of antimony, and was mainly used in cosmetics. It could also have come from Ghawl//Ghool, a word used in the Quran to refer to the after effects of wine.
Alcohol is made from natural product processing, such as the fermentation of carbohydrates or reductive cleavage of natural fats and oils, or manufactured from petroleum’s hydrocarbons. So, not all Alcohol is made by the fermentation of carbohydrates like the case during the Prophet’s time.
Alcohols are derivatives of hydrocarbons in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group. Hydrocarbons are compounds which contain hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) only. There are many types of Alcohol, such as Ethyl Alcohol (the type present in alcoholic beverages), Methanol, which is used in various products, such as anti-freeze, Glycol and Iso-Propyl Alcohol, which are toxic and intoxicant, but there are types of Alcohol, such as the completely denatured Alcohols, which are not intoxicant, because Alcohol simply means hydroxylated hydrocarbons. It is always safe however to consider all Alcohols intoxicant, whether they are natural or synthetic, because the very vast majority of Alcohols is.
Vanilla extract is a solution containing the flavor compound vanillin. Pure vanilla extract is made by extracting from vanilla beans in an alcoholic solution. In order for a vanilla extract to be called pure, the FDA requires that the solution contain a minimum of 35% alcohol and 13.35 ounces of vanilla bean per gallon. This extract is then added in small amounts to ice cream and other food products.
The ruling depends on a few factors:
• First, If a large quantity of a substance intoxicates, then a small quantity of that substance is forbidden. Conversely, if the large quantity did not intoxicate, then that substance is not forbidden for the reason of intoxication. That is confirmed by the following hadeeth
" ما أسْكَر كَثيرُه فقَليلُه حَرَام " "Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, then a small quantity of it is forbidden."
[Related by Abu Dawood, an-Nasaey and others authentically]
Now, does the ice cream made with vanilla extract intoxicate? No one would say that. So, when does it become an intoxicant? If you extract the Alcohol from that extract in the ice cream and isolate it, then it becomes intoxicant and forbidden to consume even if it were trivial in amount, because more of the same will result in intoxication.
• Second, would the mixing of Alcohol with the food products make them impermissible or filth? According to the stronger position (of the minority), Alcohol is not physical filth. Thus, it doesn’t turn the mixture into filth. Even, if it was filth, submersion in a large quantity of tahir (pure substance) according to the stronger position, will not affect the ruling of the pure substance unless one the characteristics of Alcohol prevailed (color, smell or taste).
Does mixing it with another substance change the ruling of the new substance even if it was not filth? Yes, if it made the new substance intoxicant.
• Third, would it be permissible for Muslims to add Alcohol to food products? No - as in the case of turning Alcohol into Vinegar - that would not be permissible for Muslims, though, it would be permissible for them to consume it if it was added by others, and most certainly if it occurred naturally in a food (even bread goes through fermentation) so long as the consumed substance is not intoxicant even in large quantities.
Based on the aforementioned, we believe that it is permissible to use food products that contain the vanilla extract.
I hope this answer is satisfactory.
Allah knows best.

Are there any cures for impotence in islam? Ive masturbated so much that i have the side affetcs of masturbation such as low semen etc.. Now there is probability that im going to get married with sister inshallah but im afraid that i will not be able to satisfy her and due to impotence that i think i have. Ive stop masturbating and pure for almost 3weeks now alhamdulillah. Any tips of how to overcome my situation will be appreciated

All praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be on the greatest messenger, Muhammad.
It is unclear whether or not you have impotence. Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction) means that your male organ does not become erect.
If you do have this condition, then it is a valid cause for her to request the annulment of marriage if it already took place. This is a condition that will cause the wife significant loss of rights. I would advise you to get treated first before you marry if you are truly impotent. That would mean a visit to a clinic that specializes in the treatment of sexual disorders.
Ask your lord Allah to cure you and rely on him while seeking such treatment.
Allah knows best.

iam apharmacist and we sell alot of contraceptive pills and sometimes abortifacient drugs also ..i want to know is that lawfull here in america and my money from working as a pharmacist is lawfull or not ,answer my question gazakom allah khyaran

All praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be on the greatest messenger, Muhammad.
Contraceptive pills are lawful to use, thus selling them is lawful. As for the abortifacient drugs, they have some halah uses, thus it is lawful to sell them, and the responsibility of the right usage of them falls on the buyer.
Allah knows best.

Asalaamu alaikoum wa rahmatuh Allahi wa barakatuh,
I was just wondering about something and hoping someone can help me out insha'Allah….
I am having an ultrasound done this Friday insha'Allah and my husband and I were planning on finding out the sex of our baby… but someone told me today that before we do that, I'd better look into seeing if that was halaal or not. Does anyone know the ruling on finding out the sex of your baby before it's born? Are there any fatwas regarding that? I just want to make sure that it's ok and not haraam, especially since it's in 2 days, and so if any of you could help me asap with the answer, I'd really appreciate it!! Jazak Allahu Khair!
Wasalaam alaikoum,

All praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be on the greatest messenger, Muhammad.
There are two different types of “ghaib” (unseen), absolute and relative. The absolute ghaib belongs only to Allah, such as the knowledge of the future that he did not disclose to any of His creations. Examples on the relative ghaib would include what is taking place in a different country at this time, it is ghaib to us because of our limited capacities and lack of encompassing knowledge, but it is not of the absolute ghaib.
The sex of the fetus in the womb is of the relative knowledge of the unseen that is kept from some of Allah’s creations and disclosed to others. It is not, at least in the latter stages of the absolute knowledge of the unseen that belongs only to Allah.
The reason why the question is asked – I think – and some Muslims may have some hesitation about this issue is the following verse:
Allah says,
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ."
“ Verily, Allah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is All Knower, All Aware (of things).”
That which is in the wombs here does not apply to the sex, though the sex may be at some earlier stage of the knowledge of the absolute ghaib. It is about everything about this creature and its future.
The proof on this is that we were told that the angel knows the sex of the fetus. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
" يَدْخُلُ الْمَلَكُ على النُّطْفَةِ بَعْدَ ما تَسْتَقِرُّ في الرَّحِمِ بِأَرْبَعِينَ أو خَمْسَةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً فيقول يا رَبِّ أَشَقِيٌّ أو سَعِيدٌ فَيُكْتَبَانِ فيقول أَيْ رَبِّ أَذَكَرٌ أو أُنْثَى فَيُكْتَبَانِ وَيُكْتَبُ عَمَلُهُ وَأَثَرُهُ وَأَجَلُهُ وَرِزْقُهُ ثُمَّ تُطْوَى الصُّحُفُ فلا يُزَادُ فيها ولا يُنْقَصُ”
“After the Nutfah [drop (of semen)] is in the womb for forty or forty five nights, the angel enters and says: My Lord, will he be good or evil? Both will be written. Then he says, My Lord, would he be male or female? Both will be written. In addition, his deeds, actions, death and livelihood will be recorded. Then his document of destiny is rolled and there shall be no addition to it or subtraction from it.” [Reported by Muslim from Hudhaifa ibn Aseed]
Since the angel knows the sex, it is not of the absolute knowledge of the unseen from which all creatures are barred. Based on this, the earlier scholars did not reprimand the physicians who attempted through their rather primitive means to guess the sex of the fetus.
There is no harm in trying to know the sex of the baby before its birth through the fetal ultrasound.
Allah knows best.

I am a Muslim woman and my husband used to be Muslim, yet, has became convinced of strange beliefs and started to propagate them.
He says it is not mandatory for any one to subscribe to the religion of Islam, that the five daily prayers are not mandatory, and that a Muslim may instead say “Allah” inside his heart. He, also, claims to be an assistant of “al-Mahdi”, as well as other false beliefs. I, as well as other Muslims from the community, have tirelessly advised him and invited him to repent. He insists to follow his new ways. And it has been years now. At present, he is on a business trip overseas, and is expected to be back here to live with me in the home we share.
Is it permissible for me to maintain this marriage, and to live with him like a wife? Please give me a fatwa.

All Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be on His messenger. To proceed: We ask Allah for this sister to be rewarded greatly in goodness and keep her firm in Islam and make her up for her loss .We, also, say to this sister that her husband, according to his new beliefs, has became an apostate, particularly that he has been advised by the sister and others, yet insists to follow his new path.
A Muslim woman may not stay married to an apostate husband, and she may not let him touch her, by the consensus of the scholars for Allah said:
(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ) (الممتحنة: 10)
"O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them."
(Quran 60-10)
Imam al-Shafe’ey said in his book “al-Umm”: “if the married couple were in any land, that of Islam, or that of war, and one of them apostatized, then our decree here is similar to the case in which a married couple who are pagans in case one of them becomes Muslim, the marriage is annulled & the rest of the secondary rulings all apply……and I found in the decree of Allah Blessed & most high the prohibition of giving in marriage Muslim women to polytheists & the prohibition of Muslim men marrying pagan women …and I found that when one of the married couple apostatizes, martial relations become forbidden, so a disbeliever may not have sex with a believing woman …and if the man apostatized after having sex with his wife then he should be prevented from approaching her again ,and when her waiting period expires before he returns to Islam, the marriage would be considered annulled:”
Based on the above statement, this sister must do the following:
(1). Treat her husband like a foreign man, and not let him touch her or be alone with her.
(2). Start counting her waiting period (which is three menstrual periods for those who menstruate); and she should begin from the day she receives this fatwa or any similar fatwa from an Islamic center…etc.
(3). If her husband returned to Islam, she may go back to him as a wife based on their previous contract, and they don’t have to re-marry so long as he does that before her waiting period ends.
(4). If her waiting period ends and he has not returned to Islam she would be entitled, Islamically, to marry another Muslim. She also has the right to wait for her previous husband in hopes that Allah may guide him one day and she may return to him. In the case that this happens, it would be better to initiate a new marriage contract, although some scholars maintain that their original contract suffices, yet as long as she is waiting for him, she should continue to treat him like a foreign man and not let him touch her.
(5). We recommend to the sister to continue her supplication for her husband that Allah may guide him, and to continue to invite him to Islam (without being alone with him),this may be done by writing, or over the phone, or giving him books and tapes, or arranging for meetings between him and scholars of Islam to advise him.
All of this given that she has enough faith and knowledge to protect herself from his suspicions, yet if she fears for herself that he may sway her away from her religion and make her doubt her beliefs , and she can’t rebuttal him, then we recommend to her to completely abandon him.
We, also, recommend to the sister in case she was interested in marrying someone else after her period ends that she go through the appropriate legal actions to terminate the first marriage before getting married again.
Finally, we recommend to the sister: patience and sincerity; and we ask Allah Most High to deliver you out of your hardship, and make all of your affairs easy.
And All Praise Be To Allah