If your hand bleeds, but only when a napkin is applied, and one still has work to do, one will need to wash one’s hand every now and then. Does that make the things one touches unclean? When one washes one’s hand, are the other parts of the hand also rendered unclean? Or is it just that blood only comes out when a napkin is applied that makes only that part najis?

I have skin problem for which I have to apply a moisturising lotion. When I enquired as to the source of its ingredients, I was told that they could be of either animal or vegetable origin. What should we do, this applies to almost everything, hair conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and salad dressings?

When one washes impurities – najasah – from an arm for example, water inevitably splashes onto a part of the body that one has already washed. Does such a splash mean the splashed part has become impure – najis – again? `

What is the Shari’ah view regarding the alcoholic content of shampoos and body lotions?

We are newly married and a little confused about female physical secretions being regarded, sometimes – prior to sexual intercourse – as tahir and sometimes, after sexual intercourse, as impure – najis. Secretion may sometimes even appear without excitement.

Because my friend always has a lot of doubts – waswasi – and fears that his questions will be considered childish, he requested I ask the following:If he has to wash earth or mud off fresh produce, he imagines it has contaminated everything and that he has therefore to wash the whole kitchen. This is because soil might contain fertilisers manufactured from animal waste. He is also horrified at the number of modern products that use glue in the manufacturing process lest that glue be made from non-halal animal products.

I have a lot of problems making sure that no urine remains in my urethra after urination. It takes me about 10 minutes to press between my penis and anus and then press up to the point of circumcision three times – istibra. However, every time I repeat this process, more urine is emitted. Is this common?

Is it acceptable for a wife to swallow her husband’s semen?

In earlier centuries, untreated water in Britain was considered so dangerous it had to be processed before it could be drunk. That type of ‘treated’ water, referred to as ‘beer’, was the staple drink of the whole population. Today, despite its purity, central Europeans claim to be concerned that chalk in their drinking water will build up in their kidneys. They claim that the beer they drink dissolves such deposits. For those who do not take alcoholic beer, a variety of non-alcoholic beers are available to fulfil this requirement. There was, however, only one beer found with a 0.0% alcohol content.Because it genuinely has 0.0% alcohol content, is this particular non-alcoholic Malt Beverage permitted for us under Islamic law?

Are there any circumstances in which the bone of a pig can be regarded as halal?

I have a simple question regarding the purity – taharat – of the People of the Book -Ahl al-Kitab. I understand that food prepared and cooked by Christians and Jews (I mean here in North America) is permitted – halal. Is this true? I respectfully request details of how the Ahl al-Kitab are tahir and how to deal with them. For example, if they have prepared vegetarian or permitted fish dishes are these considered halal? Are we permitted to eat and drink with them, give, take or buy from them?

If alcohol is regarded as unclean – najis – should we not reject perfume which contains alcohol?

Are clothes stained by semen or urine unadulterated and pure – tahir – after being washed in a fully automatic washing machine? In other words, do jurists consider that the various washing and rinsing cycles, in which water is repeatedly replaced, breaks the flow ofthe water and so prevents it from being accepted as constantly flowing water – jari – which is necessary if things are to be rendered tahir?

May we offer prayer – salat – in clothes cleaned at non-Muslim dry cleaners, when there is a possibility that they will have been in contact with the clothing of those who associate partners with Allah – mushriks – and unbelievers – kaffirs?

What are the differences between the various exegetes of the Qur’an and their methodologies? Exegetes – mufassirs – in Arabic are scholars who write explanatorycommentaries of the Qur’an. These are known as tafsir.

We know it is discouraged – makruh – for a woman to recite more than seven ayat of Qur’an during her menstrual period – haidh. On the other hand, it is highly recommended to read Qur’an in the Holy month of Ramadan.How should a woman get this reward – thawab? Should she, during the month of Ramadan, recite more than seven ayat of Qur’an while she has her menstrual period?

What are the Mushaf Fatimah or Mushaf Ali about? Where can we locate Imam Ali’s tafsir – exegesis – of the Qur’anic text, presented in the order in which each ayat was revealed?

Does the mention of Qur’anic ayat being subjected to abrogation – nasikh – or being abrogated – mansukh – mean it is true that ayat have been omitted from the Qur’an?Is the Qur’an used by Shi’ites any different from the Qur’an used by Sunnis?

In the Qur’an, Surah Bani Isra’il ayah 31, it is conveyed that Allah Almighty provides sustenance for our children as well as for ourselves. Why then do so many poor people the world over die each day from starvation and hunger? Please help me understand this.

What is the meaning of the letters at the beginning of some surahs of the Qur’an? There are 14 different individual letters. Is there any significance in that number?