Because you Asked

Questions are answered by Shaykh Rizwan Ali

At my workplace, I have to interact with a lot of people and some of them identify openly as LGBTQ. My experience with them has been that they are generally very nice and polite and I feel conflicted in how my behavior towards them should be. I need your guidance with this please! Jazak Allah Khair.

Answer: The Prophet SAW is our example and role model. He interacted with people with the best of manners. His Uncle Abu Tālib was not a Muslim, but the Prophet SAW respected him and treated him in an excellent way. At the same time, the Prophet SAW did not agree with his faith, but he respected his decision. Similarly, there will be people in society that may live in ways we don’t agree with or condone but we should be respectful, kind, and compassionate and this is the Prophetic way.

I have the intention to get married soon insha’Allah, but one thought has been concerning me. Do I have to share my past sins (sexual in nature) with the prospective person especially if I have sincerely repented for them? Need your advice Shaikh. Jazak Allah Khair.

Answer: You are not obligated to share your past. It was narrated from Abu ‘Ubadah bin ‘Abdullah, that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah SAW said, ‘The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin,’” (Ibn Majah). If you want to disclose something, you can tell the person that there was a time that was different in your life and leave it at that.

Rizwan Ali was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, he moved to Egypt to pursue religious studies. He enrolled at Al-Azhar University and graduated from the College of Shariah in 2016. The following year, he successfully defended his dissertation at Creighton University and obtained his doctorate in Educational Leadership. Alongside his position as Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Naperville, he teaches at CPSA and serves as the head of the Arabic and Islamic Studies Dept. He also works for Mishkah University as an instructor and member of the Academic Committee.

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Answers to Ramadan Crossword Puzzle:

Across: 1. Power 6. Siyam 8. Baqarah 9. Zakah 10. Generous

Down: 2. Ramadan 3. Taraweeh 4. Sahoor 5. Rayan 7. Ikhlas