Islamic Finance For Beginners – A Guide To Money, Debt and Halal Investments

Learn the basics of Islamic Finance with the Foundational Guide To Finance For Muslims written by Michael Gassner.

Introduction

We use money everyday. Whether you are earning, saving, spending or investing it is incredibly important. But have you ever wondered how as a Muslim you can manage your money using Islamic principles?

Islamic Finance looks at how we deal with our money in a responsible, fair and ethical way. It covers topics such as Riba, debt, wealth, investments, charity, insurance, buying a house and inheritance.

To learn more about these topics you can start with the Foundational Guide To Finance For Muslims: Why Does The Prohibition On Interest (Riba) Make Sense?

Foundational Guide To Finance For Muslims

This guide gives a great insight into how we deal with money from an Islamic perspective. It can be used by Muslims or anyone wanting to understand the Islamic principles of finance with an open mind.

Whilst it covers how to earn and save money, it also covers how financial decisions can impact you and others.

The guide covers key questions to help you understand.

Key Topics Included

1. Riba (interest)

This is a key part of Islamic Finance. This guide looks at why interest is not allowed in Islamic teachings. It can help you understand why interest is not allowed.

When knowing what Riba means you can understand how Islamic Finance differs to conventional.

2. Debt

Debt can affect people in different ways depending on how much income and wealth they have. Getting into debt can cause big problems if you struggle to pay it back.

The guide looks at how debt can affect the rich and poor. It also looks at how we as Muslims should deal with debt responsibly.

3. Wealth

Wealth can be seen as a good thing or bad thing. In Islamic Finance we look at how we earn, save and spend our money.

This guide can help encourage you to make thoughtful decisions by knowing how to earn money in a permissible way, dealing with your money responsibly, giving to those in need and avoiding waste.

4. Money, Digital Assets & Crypto Tokens

There are many different types of money and digital assets. This can cause questions about its value, who owns it and risks involved whilst ensuring you are following Islamic principles.

The guide will give you an insight into these topics. If you are interested in crypto this can be a great place to start your research.

5. Buying A House

Buying a house can be a huge goal for many families. However, there can be questions about mortgages and whether they involve interest and Sharia.

The guide looks at different opinions about buying a house. As different scholars can have different opinions about some financial products it is important to look at the contract and seek advice from a qualified individual.

6. Stocks, Investments & Insurance

Many people want to increase their savings but still follow their religious beliefs. When looking at Islamic investments people will look at what stocks and businesses to invest in. They will also look at how insurance works with Sharia.

Remember that investments can be suitable depending on what the company do, their financial structure and screening. There will always be financial risks involved so it is important to do proper research.

7. Zakat

Zakat is important part of Islam. Knowing what assets qualify, conditions, and how much to pay will help you calculate it correctly.

The guide looks at Zakat and how to deal with your wealth responsibly. If you have complex financial situations, it is best to seek advice from a knowledgeable scholar.

8. Estate Planning and Wills

You may need to do estate planning and establish a will to manage your funds properly. Inheritance is a sensitive matter in Islam. It is better to consult a specialist in religious and legal affairs.

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide can help:

• Muslims wanting to understand the basics of Islamic Finance.
• Students interested in ethical finance.
• Those wanting to understand the Islamic view on interest and debt.
• Those wanting to understand halal investments and financing a house.
• Families wanting to understand Zakat, inheritance and financial planning.
• Those wanting to understand how Islamic principles impact financial decisions.

You do not need any financial knowledge to start learning. Just a keen interest in understanding money and making informed decisions.

About Michael Gassner

Based in Geneva, Switzerland Michael holds the role of Head of Islamic Finance in a private bank in Switzerland. He is also a part of the Sharia board at Bosna Bank International in Sarajevo.

Michael has had training within banking, he has learnt Arabic and has a degree in business administration. He specialised in finance, marketing and economic history. He had a semester abroad in Damascus.

Michael began his career in the new economy sector and moved into financial consultancy. 

You may need to do estate planning and establish a will to manage your funds properly.

He specialised in Islamic Finance and has worked in Jeddah managing the development of Islamic financial products at Bank Al Jazira.

Michael also has an extensive career in banking, financial products and in Islamic Finance.

Why Should I Learn About Islamic Finance?

By learning about Islamic Finance you'll be able to ask the right questions when it comes to selecting your financial products. This knowledge gives you the tools to make the right choices when it comes to earning, incurring and paying off debt, investing and looking after your wealth.

Why Should I Learn About Islamic Finance?

By learning about Islamic Finance, you'll be able to ask the right questions when it comes to selecting your financial products. This knowledge gives you the tools to make the right choices when it comes to earning, incurring and paying off debt, investing and looking after your wealth.

This guide covers many key topics which can be a great starting point. However, just because there is a guide it does not mean that a mortgage, investment, insurance or crypto will be Sharia compliant. There are many different financial products and everyone’s situations are different

Where Can I Find This Guide?

If you are interested in learning more about Islamic Finance click the link below to see the latest information, availability and terms.

Foundational Guide To Finance For Muslims by Michael Gassner:

Buy now 

Do some research on this product to see if it can help.

Conclusion

Islamic Finance doesn't have to mean no interest alone, and it can also make you start to ask questions about debt and wealth, investment decisions, charity and future planning.

This guide is a good place to start to help you get to grips with these issues. It will show you how Islamic values can influence your financial life.

Understanding these principles can provide a great starting point.

This article contains an affiliate link. If you purchase using this link, I may receive a commission. Ensure you do some research on this product.

Islamic Guidelines for Caring for Hair: Head Shaving, Oil and Combing

 Islamic Guidance on Hair Care: Shaving the head, oil application, and combing.

Muslims are taught in Islam to present themselves with good appearance, good behavior, good etiquette and as Prophets, sal Allahu alaihi wasallam did. Hair care is one of these daily possessions, which is complemented by good hygiene and looks.

It can teach us how to take care of our hair with natural oils and how to wash it, how to keep our hair in order, how to use a hair comb and how to begin with the right hand in many activities. Small, simple matters like this, indicate that good grooming is a Muslim way of life.

Taking Care of the Hair

Prophet SAW always been advising the people to be careful on the hair.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) has stated:

"Whoever has hair should cherish it."

(Abu Dawood: 4163)

And this teaching reminds all Muslims not to take their hair for granted. This involves hair cleaning, proper tidy hair and stopping it from becoming unkempt.

According to science, caring for your hair should not be complicated at all. You just need to wash it and brush your hair and to keep it well combed and tidy.

Applying Oil to the Hair

Ii. And Oil was rubbed on the hair- this was still practiced in the time of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

(Sahih Muslim: 4680)

Here we get a glimpse of the daily grooming and caring for the hair. Here is a fine quality of oil that will ensure a perfect care for your hair.

Grooming should not be for the sake of vanity. A Muslim can indeed wash and get dressed modestly, mindful that Allah is the One we should obey, and that it is better to have good character and to follow Allah than to look good.

Using a Comb

Brushing of Hair Brushing of the hair is a very general act of personal hygiene, and a very simple one. The guidance of the Prophet in these narrations remind us to look our bests and avoid making things worse by too much of sticking.

A utilize a comb can be used to keep the hair clean and neat. Brushing often can be more useful than combing hair if it is messy.

Islam teaches us to maintain cleanliness. This is our duty everyday. So from an early age we can keep our children's hair clean and groomed. En

Starting From the Right Side

Islamic deportment, can also include some matters from the right.

Aisha (RA) said:

"The prophet (blessings and peace of God be upon him) used to like to start with the right in every matter, so he would start with the right before his left, and he would start with the right in the things of covering, clothes and how he dressed himself. " - Al-Bukhari and Muslim - Muslim"

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5854)

The narration describes why access to the right side of the body so important for so many simple tasks of cleanliness and grooming.

You may have other questions Please feel free to ask. You can also teach this all this Sunnah to your children easy way: Whenever you are going to perform this act of grooming and dressing. Start from the right side.

Head Shaving and Hair Care

The other thing where that one needs to follow the rules of Islam and that is about the head shaving. The head should not be left unattended completely, but if someone is getting the head maintained and just removing that then you should get that well Groomed.

The lesson of these stories is: Islam commands Muslims to treat our bodies correctly.

He can brush it, oil it according to his preference, tie it in braids or plaits, and make it nice. What a Sunnah motivation – to care for our hair everyday!

Teaching Children Good Hair-Care Habits

Introduction We can teach children these habits when they make a daily routine. Children will have to wash their hair and comb their hair, and they will be able to understand that washing is one of the ways we can behave positively.

As a mother you can also tell your children about reaching for the right side when following these acts of Sunnah. Over and over but softly the these can be a part of your child's life and teach them islamic manners.

Conclusion

The Sunnah is also a beneficial source for the Muslimah on tips for personal hygiene and hair care. The Prophet (pbuh) would often give his followers suggestions on hair care and we find hadiths suggesting the use of oil and that a person should always appear presentable.

From these acts, we learned that all activities can be done smoothly and politely and also smoothly. By that way, hair dressing is a simple caring of our personal hygiene. Then, the sunnah will makes Muslims learn to imbibe Islamic manner into their everyday life.

The benefit of care: One of the right-side Sunnah is that a Muslim constantly observes when doing maintenance, yet they can for a Muslim, to preserve styles, use the info that the care gets once.

Islamic Guidelines for Wearing and Praying in Sandals

 Islamic Guidelines for Wearing and Praying in Sandals

Islamic Guidance on Wearing and Praying in Sandals Islam advocates that Muslims maintain good ways and hygiene always. In this context, the intention of using sandals and praying in sandals can be associated. While the Sunnah has emphasized regarding the step upon filth when using sandals, it also clarifies that one can pray with a clean pair of sandals.

We are also taught that we need to maintain ourselves and the environments around us clean and to prepare ourselves for Salah.

Things to Do When Sandals Encounter Something Dirty

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) The Messenger of Allah () has stated:

He that toucheth a dead body shall be unclean seven days" or "purge him."

Source: Abu Dawud 385

It help us to understand a good principle about shoes and cleanliness: "If your shoes walk on anything impure, and then walk on pure earth, the earth itself will clean them."

This is particularly the case where someone is walking outside, where feet can step over dirty ground, or where people walking barefoot on Saturday need to take off their sandals to go into a mosque.

Can I Prayer With Sandals?

Yes. The Prophet PBUH himself has been seen to pray in shoes. (RA) narrated by Abu Maslamah: The Prophet PBUH was asked whether he performed the Salah with his shoes on and he said 'Yes'.

Sa'id Abu Maslamah (RA) asked Anas (RA):

Did the Messenger of Allah ()pray with his sandals on?

Anas (RA) replied:

Yes.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5850

Thus this narration shows us that it is permissible to pray with your shoes on as long as your shoes are pure (meaning free of filth). This does not mean that you have to wear your shoes but you can.

Conversely, a devotee may wish to pray without footwear.

Checking Your Shoes for Impurities before Salah

Look you shoes before salah For us the story which came most about the requirement of check up of line before heading towards prayer is introduced by ABU SA'ID AL-KHUDRI (RA) that when in the congregation the serbet of ALLAH (PBUH) did prayer the serbrt of ALLAH (PBUH) kept down his shoe and he was to the left side and other in the congregation put his shoe in the same line.

" Prophets (pbuh) had just told us that Jibreel (AS) told the prophet (pbuh) that he saw impurity or something harmful on his shoes."

Why? Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked his companions this question. The explanation then given is that, when any of us happens to visit the mosque, he should observe his shoes to see if there is any dust or injury to them. If there is, then one should wipe or remove it.

Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 650

And this narrations teaches us that on our shoes we should notice all the dirt, damage or impurity on shoes.

Make Sure Your Shoes Are Clean before Praying

Sunnah tell us that our shoes must be examined to see whether they are clean. So if we notice that there is dirt or impurity on our shoes then we should wipe or wash the impurity before we say our Salah. It is for this reason that we should always make it a practice to check our shoes, especially if we are praying outside and our feet might have walked over some dirt. Clean shoes will ensure that dirt and impurities are not brought into the praying area.

The key message here is to:

Examine your shoes and get rid of dirt and debris before praying.

Can You Wear Shoes or Sandals When Praying Outside?

If someone is praying outside, then it is allowed to wear good cleanliness shoes or sandals as the conditions and situation may allow. The hadith of Anas (RA) supports this such as the prophet (PBUH) was praying with shoes on. One should also consider whether they are praying onto a prayer mat or carpet and whether it would be better to pray with shoes on or off.

In general, one ought to be as clean as they are able to be; clean shoes and a clean prayer area. If that is via riding in sandals, then that's effective, if that is via removing sneakers, or wiping away mud and mud on shoes, then that is effective.

What Can We Learn From These Hadiths

From the narrations we may learn the following lessons:

5. Keep Feet Clean Prior To Salah and Focus on what is made apparent to you: Get your shoes ready, or clean before you do salah. 6. Shoes or Sandals can be used to pray: Prophet (saww) was seen as praying on his shoes. 7. Wipe off dirt or impurities: Get your shoes checked before you do salah to see if they have any visible impurities; wipe away if you do.

4. The soil has the function of purifying the shoes: When it is stepped on by dirty things, and then contact with the soil, the soil will play the role of purification.

5. Follow sunnah to the best effect: Let us try to be mindful in our actions that we put cleanliness and concern for our Salah into practice.

Basic Checklist Prior to Salah: Shoes & Shoes

Before starting your prayer, remember to:

-It is good to check your shoes for dirt or damage

 -Gently wipe dust or dirt if necessary 

-Ensure the prayer space remains clean 

-If praying on a prayer mat/carpet remove the shoes

 -If the shoes are clean and the situation permits then pray with the shoes 

-If you prefer to remove the shoes and are able to then pray barefoot These are all easy steps we can take in following the Sunnah. 

Conclusion As Muslims, we need to always remember to prioritize cleanliness even in small things like our footwear. If we wear shoes for prayer or not, we must make sure that we check our shoes before we begin our prayer. We must also educate ourselves on the ruling on wiping soil over the shoes so that we know soil can indeed be used as a cleansing agent, and heed the potency of our shoes in increasing our Khushoo in prayer.

 

Putting on Footwear: Islamic Etiquette and Sunnah

TAQWA | TOWERING IMAM | IT ALL BEGINS IN THE HEART| TAQWA SSHW For a Muslim, the reminders in the Daily Prayers on how to treat others extend to even simple things we do in our lives. For instance, this is a daily occurrence of putting on shoes and sandals, but the Sunnah sheds lights on how it should be done. It is recommended to start with the right side and to not walk with one sandal.

Starting with the Right Side

Narrated also on the authority of A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her): "The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was accustomed whenever he performed Wudu'1, to begin with the right, and would comb his hair and put on his shoes."1 [Sahih al-Bukhari: 5854] Explanation: Uttering the name of Allah, when putting on shoes and sandals is a little act of kindness which one can easily perform in life, In this narration we see the routine of beginning with the right when it comes to our personal hygiene and decorum.

 When a Muslim wears a shoe or sandal, starting with the right is a simple sunnah that can be incorporated into a daily habit.

There are memories that can be made to be easily retained, like right foot first when putting on our shoes. Parents can instruct children at this time to training them how to put on their shoes, and other similar acts. Minor Sunnah practices begin to teach children Islamic etiquette in everyday living.

How to Put On Footwear

Putting on your Shoes in the way of Sunnah It is very easy, take care of seating yourself in a safe position. Put on the right shoe first, then the left shoe. 15. Putting on your Shoes Safely Take care of sitting yourself in a safe position.

Removing Footwear from the Left Side

2) Removing shoes. As the whole procedure of putting on shoes begins with the right side, the etiquette in Islam is that shoes are taken off from the left side. Generally speaking, it's recommended to give precedence to the right side for honorable acts and the left side for taking off.

Therefore, a simple routine is:

1. Wear your right shoe or sandal before your left.

2. Wear the left shoe or sandal last.

3. When taking them out, start with the left.

4. Take off the right shoe after the left.

Having a set time for it makes remembering this Sunnah simpler.

Do Not Walk With One Sandal

A further matter that should be known as regards walking without sandals/socks Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:

"Let none of you walk about in a single sandal; he should either remove them both or put them both on."Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5856.

 You'll just have to walk like this (one sandal missing) The permissibility and the preference of leaving one sandal off on one foot have been discussed before. In case a sandal comes off from one foot, wear the one back on or just discard the other one. 

Teaching Children Islamic Footwear Etiquette

Sunnah for children and parents To help your children learn about this Sunnah, you could link it to their daily routine. When your child leaves home, just before they leave say to them "Right foot first". And when they return home and remove their shoes, say "left".

 Make the habit stick with a short reminder:

"Right foot to wear, left foot to remove. Don't walk alone with a single sandal."

If practiced regularly, this etiquette can become a natural instinct to children.

Why These Small Sunnah Habits Matter

Not just big acts of worship – Islamic manners are a chance to act upon the Sunnah even in our daily life. How we put on our shoes, get dressed, eat, sleep and keep ourselves clean; all of these can be done while considering the Sunnah.

Adopting these manners will keep Muslims aware of their actions and enable them to develop a habit of practicing the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It just takes one small act to become second nature with the Sunnah.

A Simple Daily Reminder

Before going out, check your shoes and recall the sunnah. Wear the right shoe first then the left. To take your shoes off, start with your left.

Do not walk with only one shoe.

All of these can be done in seconds so it is easy for Muslims to do with children during every day routines. Keeping Islam's rules simple is essential so that everyone can adhere to it.

Conclusion

Wearing footwear might be a simple everyday habit, but in Islamic Manners there exists a very simple Sunnah related to wearing footwear. 

Aisha (RA) said that the Noble Messenger (Peace & Salutations of Allah be upon him) liked beginning with the right side when wearing footwear. Another narration in Sunan Abi Dawood is narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA) warning from walking with a single sandal.

A Muslim may teach them to his children by using them in their daily lives- wear the right shoe first, take the shoe off with the left foot first and don't walk around with one shoe on.

These habits are easy and consistently practicing them will link us to the Sunnah in our everyday life and will raise our children to follow Islamic etiquette.

Islamic Restroom Etiquette: Salam and Dua After Leaving

 Islamic Restroom Etiquette: Salam and Dua After Leaving

 Dua Before Going to the Bathroom: Dua in Arabic & Benefits In Islam: Remembrance of Allah is a daily practice in Islam. Here is a dua before entering bathroom for every Muslim brother as a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Dua  - Duas for Cooking This dua guides us about the etiquettes of duaa and application of duaa in life.

Learning this dua is a very simple way for you to follow sunnah and to have your kids learn the islamic etiquettes.

Dua before entering Bathroom Anas ibn Malek reported that Allah's Messenger () when he entered to answer the call would say: 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Dua in roman: Allahumma a'udhu bika minal khubthi wal khaba'ith 

English translation: O Allah! 

I seek protection in You from the evil of the earth and the evil of men, the evil of jinns and the evil of their (evil) whisperings. Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 4, Wudhu (Ablution)Why should you recite this dua? It should be recited before stepping in the Toilet why should you make this a regular affair?

1. Stop outside the restroom 

2.Recite the dua quietly before entering 3. Get in the toilet with your left foot 

4. Leave the work area tidy and private 5.Step out of the bathroom with your right foot Promotes good Islamic practice in children & adults in these very easy steps.

Why do Muslims recite this prayer?

It serves as a reminder to Muslims to ask Allah to protect us if we are about to go into a place where we do our private business and don't want anyone to remember us doing it out loud.

It also raises the level of need to seek Allah's protection – in fact we should all ask for protection all the time and not just in times of difficulty.

When children memorize this dua, it will serve as a reminder to them that as Muslims, they need to always remember ALLAH, and always keep their hygiene & manners.

Teach Your Kids this Easy Islamic Dua Teach your kids to remember this Dua and recite it with them before they go to the toilet. Recite this Dua slowly with Arabic words and translate into simple words: 'May Allah save us from this' How do you make it a part of your routine?

 Children can keep reciting the dua with you till they memorize it.

You can do this small daily practice from beginning to begin with and get them habituated to the Sunnah.

Islamic Etiquette . Muslims need proper bathroom etiquette and dua 

1. Recite the dua before entering 

2.Maintain privacy and modesty 

3. Avoid talking  inside the bathroom 

4. Keep the bathroom clean and neat

5.Wash your hands after toilet use

6.Remember Allah after leaving the toilet Tap here to read more about Islamic etiquette beside bathroom and dua Islamic Bathing Dua of Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh)How to Cleanse Your Body After a Major Ghusl Islamic Dos & Don'ts in Bathroom.

Islamic Restroom Manners: Salam & Dua After Leaving Islamic Restroom Manners in Daily Life: Returning Salam and Dua After Leaving Restroom Manners in Islam: Giving and Returning Salam While Using the Restroom The Hadith related to giving and returning Salam while using the restroom The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that once he was using the restroom when a man passed by him and gave Salam to him but he did not return the salam. 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would leave the restroom, he would supplicate, ' Ghufranaka' (I seek Your pardon). ﷺ Source: Jami at-Tirmidhi, Chapter 10: Supplication in the Mosque. 

Summary of Islamic restroom Manners in short Muslims can follow these Islamic manners in the restroom to stay respectfully away from salam. 

 Conclusion: Here is the dua to wash ourselves after entering the toilet. The dua before entering the bathroom is simple, but beautiful dua that has been given to us by our Nabi (p.b.u.h). And by memorizing, "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal khubuthi wal khaba'ith" We can have a convenient dua for bathroom and can also teach parts of Islamic social etiquettes to our children. May Allah help us to remember him, follow him on his path and do reasonable behavior in our daily life.

Do not return salam when using the restroom Seek forgiveness from Allah after leaving the restroom. Recite 'Ghufranaka' or Say: ' I seek pardon from you, O Allah, for having soiled you.'

Ameen.

Islamic Toilet Etiquette:

Islamic Toilet Etiquette: Facing the Qiblah, Dua Before Entering and Returnin

Islamic Toilet Etiquette Dhua before entering the Toilet Turning towards the Qiblah& Salam Is it Sunnah to turn towards or away from the Qiblah? Some Muslims find it very difficult and a sensitive issue to turn towards or away from the Qiblah. This narration will tell us how to turn to the Qiblah and turn away from the Qiblah.

Abdullah ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: People said to Umar ibn al-Khattab, When you attend to your needs do you face the Qiblah?'

So he delayed answering, until he mentioned that he had heard God's Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "You may face the Qiblah when urinating but you should turn away from it when defecating." I saw God's Messenger facing the Qiblah while sitting on two bricks in the mosque. [Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 4: Performing Wudu] To understand this, there is a narration where Prophet Muhammad and his companions faced the Qiblah, and how scholars interpret turning away from the Qiblah in different circumstances (sitting or lying down), can teach us a lot.

Why should Muslims learn from this hadith? The hadith clearly explains how we should face or turn away from the Qiblah in different circumstances. It also explains how scholars interpret these different circumstances of when to face or turn away from the Qiblah. We learn from this hadith how Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) responds in different situations, and how we should do too.

Salams Dua to Say Before Entering the Toilet A part of good manners and etiquettes of the toilet, this du'a is important to learn and memorize as it is also a form of worship. Whatever you learn that is good and right, we can implement it in our lives and do it daily.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would pass by Khubuth al-Khabaith (the male and female devils) when going to the toilet he would seek Allah's refuge from them.

Why should Muslims say this du'a?

This du'a should be said to seek Allah's protection, and is easy to say and memorize. We can recite this du'a constantly.

It is good to memorize both the arabic du'a and the transliterations with the translation and meaning of the words for an easier understanding.

Return salam after fulfilling your needs is a basic good manner, however, this narration will teach us about our accountability in some situations. While Salam is a sign of respect to Muslims, it is not necessary to reply to Salaam while attending to one's needs. After attending to one's needs one should reply to the S Allah is one six times.

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports: Once a man greeted Rasul-Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he was urinating but he didn't say to him: 'As Salam alaikum'. [Sahih Muslim, Chapter 3: Menstruation]

Why should Muslims not respond to the salam?

The hadith describes how to deal with this issue practically, and shows that replying to salam is not necessary when attending to natural needs. As Muslims we should practice the etiquettes of the toilet, including replying to salam when appropriate.

Prophet Muhammad responded with wisdom.

In Conclusion, Etiquettes when going to the toilet are part of Islamic manners, examples of a good Muslim and sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. We discussed 3 points from this hadith, which was facing or turning away from the Qiblah, saying a dua when entering the toilet and not responding to salam when attending to oneself. We need to learn and practice this as part of our Islam and Islamic manners, and teach our children!

Can Others see Your Private Parts?

Can Others see Your Private Parts? Modesty and Privacy in Islam

The Muslim faith places a significant amount of importance on modesty, individual privacy and honoring and respecting the human body. Muslims have been taught to cover their privy parts, as well as have respect for other people's privy parts, and privacy is always something important to maintain throughout one's life as a Muslim. These teachings of respect and honor comes from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) informs Muslims that to protect one's own privacy should not just happen at some points but all times while also making sure one respected another's private parts and privacy, even in situations when two same sex people have to share the same sleeping space.

1. Can you look at someone else's private parts?

On the authority of Abu Said al-Khudri may Allah be pleased with him that the Messenger of Allah pbuh said;.

He should not look at the privy parts of a man; neither should a woman look at the privy parts of a woman;.

This hadith is recorded in the Hadith in Sahih Muslim, book 3, chapter menstruation, hadith number 223.

From the hadith, you can infer that even people who are the same sex as each other cannot just be watching and staring at the others privities. 

Everyone, human or animal, has an individual right to have a privately uncovered region and a Muslim is taught to abide by respect toward another's privacy and not make people embarrassed or uncomfortable when they need to cover such private regions. An example being, when Muslims are together (e.g.

Sleeping in the same room and on the same bed, if so possible, at opposite sides and with a small barrier between them), Muslims cannot have a person gazing inappropriately at one another's privates and Muslims learn this early on in their Muslim life by the teachings of the parents when Muslims are young.

You have an expectation that a man will wear what is decent for public eyes and have respect and coverage for privacy.

2. Can two people share the same covering, sleep together?

'Two men should not sleep together under one covering; two women should not sleep together under one covering.'
This means Muslims are not expected to do and go about this one duty even in a room sleeping two people can also be an issue as regard having the people in the room sleep with the same couverture if both cannot stay private.
As it can be expected for humans to do, individuals want their own space when sleeping to preserve the privacy of themselves. Muslims are taught from youth, too, the principle of respecting other Muslims personal space even when sleeping, or in this case, to be covered appropriately with one another in consideration for privacy.
As with most Muslim teachings, it is important to educate younger Muslims on how to practice this from a young age to integrate the habits well into the Muslim way of life from the earliest opportunity.

3. Do you cover your privates when other Muslims are present around you?

"I said [Muawiyah bin Haida], O Messenger of Allah, with what and to what extent can one uncover [his body parts], and what is it that must not be uncovered (haram)? He replied [The Prophet Muhammad]: Your private parts are haram [prohibited] from [being revealed to] any and all people except your spouse, and those persons who are under your control (who in a hadith narrated elsewhere also includes women under your control in pre-islamic and ancient times). 

I said: O Messenger of Allah, what about two men, or two Muslims, are they looked at at all? He answered: You should cover the privates between yourself and Another if it is within your power to cover so that nobody will look."
This clearly means Muslims should cover the private part of their body except from his spouse or sex slave, from all people including men the same sex as him. Therefore, as it is your duty not to look at other humans' privates, one must keep themselves covered from one another, too, but more importantly if possible so no person can see the male Muslim's privates when they are with anyone other than Muslims like themselves and if that can not be helped, then Islam is not a religion of irrational rules.

4. Do you cover your privates when you are on your own?

The Prophet was then asked about whether a man who is on his own should cover his privates to which he said:
"It is most worthy that he shows his shame to Allah (Most High), glorified be His name,".
From this, you can be reassured that if you are not looking around the place to see if anybody else wants to look, this implies one can still enjoy their own natural comforts when on their own for obvious hygiene reasons that Islam doesn't deem to intrude on. 

Hence you can do what you like in a room all by yourself but it does not mean you have full permission of displaying anything un islamically without care, for you must bear in mind Allah is also watching as he can see everything in the world.

5. How can we all uphold this Islamic

 standard of being modest around others.
* Always wearing loose, well-fitted Islamic dress
* Staying on opposite sides of where people might want to be in the same location if necessary.
* Refraining from making excessive, staring eyes upon those who you are surrounded by, men or women.
* Making use of cubicles or changing rooms whenever that may be a need.
* Educating our young Muslim brothers and sisters how to maintain their Islamic morals from a young age.
* Remembering we will eventually all be with Allah, even when it is dark, and He knows what is to be done in the Islamic practice.

In conclusion

 Muslims have learned how to conduct their bodies as individuals and not create any form of disrespect or shame towards others around them and to even maintain a certain modesty when alone in private knowing they are being looked at by the One who knows best (Allah subhanah wa taala). These principles are taught within the hadith from both Sahih Muslim and Jami'at-Tirmidhi which guides us in the appropriate ways which we all should have as Muslims with modesty.

Questions Which Can Be Repeated;

1. Is my privates visible from men too, just woman and boy muslim? 

Yes my privates from Muslim men and women cannot ever be exposed except to his wife. As told in the first hadith cited in Muslim and this is very clear.

2. Two people sharing a cobert? 

No you cannot share it so far and even two males, it must not be shared as it is stated. Two males or Muslims generally should not sleep under one cobertura (blanket).

3. Must I cover myself up privately?

 Yes you must as it is Allah Most Worthy.