Question:

My question is concerning silk ties for men. I have heard at some conferences that silk ties are allowed since it does not touch the skin. However, I read in Bukhari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said that the most silk a man could wear is four fingers width. Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) says a man who wears silk in this world will not wear it in the hereafter. What is Islamic opinion on this?

Answer:

Wearing of attire made of pure silk in the form of a shirt or tie, etc. is forbidden for men; there is almost a scholarly consensus on this issue. However, some scholars permit it in rare, exceptional cases such as allergic reaction or a dire necessity, or because of not finding anything else to wear, etc.

Question:

I became Muslim before my husband. We were both married in a Christian church before we became Muslim. Do we have to get married again? My guardian when I was married was not a Muslim.

Answer:

Your marriage in Christian church before you became Muslim is a valid one; since both of you became Muslim, it has been carried over into Islam. It is, therefore, absolutely unnecessary for you to remarry.

Question:

A family member recently bought a new house. After entering the house, the Adhaan (Adhan) was called. Is this Islamic or Bid’ah (innovation)? What is the proper procedure, if any, to mark this new place of residence?

Answer:

Adhaan (Adhan) is a form of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah); it has been prescribed as a summons to prayer for the specific purpose of informing people of the arrival of the time of Prayer.

While mentioning the specific benefits of Adhaan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that it drives away the Satan while eliciting positive responses from good spirits.

Question:
In Islam they talk about cleanliness; I am not circumcised, and I want to convert to Islam as soon as possible, at least before or right after Ramadan. I do not have the means (money) to get the procedure done. Am I required to get circumcised before embracing Islam? Or am I supposed to do it at the time? I was told it is a very painful procedure. Please help me with this question.

Answer:
Circumcision for males is one of the important rites in Islam. The Prophet, peace be upon him, tells us that it is one of the five ingredients of natural religion and therefore part of the common legacy of Prophets, peace be upon them.

It's an obligation for every Muslim to give each other advice (naseehah). This is because every Muslim is a brother and it would be his brother who had to reminded him/her if him/her do wrong or sin. 

How many of us have looked to our brothers and sisters in Islam and have seen them straying from the path of Allah, and have turned our faces away? How many of us have seen our brothers erring and said to ourselves, it is none of my business? Well, it is our business for the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has made it our business. In the hadith related by Tamim ad-Dari, the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "The religion is naseehah." The people asked, "To whom?" The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) replied, "To Allah and to His Book and to His Messenger and to the leaders of the Muslims and the common folk." [Collected by Bukhari, Muslim]