Status Of Salaah If Pig Skin Slippers Are Worn; Leaving Out A Fardh On Account Of Doing Another; Blowing Candles

Question: I borrowed a book which contains stories of shirk but is written in a way that it seems Islamic. I do not know if to burn the book or return it to my friend because I think she will defend some of the stories because it’s a book she grew up with thinking as reputable.

My mother has a pair of leather slippers she loves but it may be made of pig skin. She makes wudhu and then slips on her slippers and I know impurities pass through damp surfaces but I do not see any actual impurity on her so can would her salah be valid and is it disrespectful to touch the Quran after wearing these slippers?

There are many wajib things that I fall short of doing. I know a halal activity becomes haram if it keeps you away from obligatory acts of worship. But what if I am delaying one obligatory action for another. For instance I may have a flag that contains a cross but I  prefer to pray salah and then get rid of the cross even though I have enough time to pray later because it’s easier to pray earlier. Would my salah be valid?

Also, what if I am leaving of an obligatory action because of laziness and not because of another activity. For instance, is it halal to eat food while the time of salah is passing because I’m lazy to pray and not because I want to eat the food?

Is making a wish when blowing candles dua? And if my niece makes a wish before blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, is the cake halal?

 

Answer: Assalamu Alaikum,

  1. Since you have borrowed the book, then it is your duty to return it to its owner. You should try to inform your friend of what you think of the contents.
  2. Your mother’s Salaah will be valid because there won’t be any impurity on her feet by wearing the slippers. After wearing the slippers it will be permissible to touch the Quran. This will not be disrespectful.
  3. Yes, your Salaah will be valid.
  4. Leaving of an obligatory action because of laziness is reprehensible. Laziness is from Satan and with respect to acts of worship, Muslims must not be lazy in performing these.
  5. Making a wish when blowing candles is not a Dua. This is a custom from the Non Muslims and must not be done. However, if one blows out the candles on the cake while making a wish, the cake will still be halaal.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

2/2/2015