There is another question which arouses doubt in me...

There is another question which arouses doubt in me, and I hope that you will clarify it. The question is: "Why is playing cards and chess Haram (forbidden)?" I have also heard that playing game in which one side is the victor and the other side the vanquished is also haram. Is this true? I don't know why our Sheriat forbids those things which we know are necessities in this modem World. Without observing these things, we would be considered barbarians. A.

I am sending you two books 'Alcohol' and 'Gambling' which will provide the answer to your questions. So far as being considered barbarian is concerned, why are you so overcome by inferiority complex? Who is barbarian? Do you think those people are advanced and civilized who swap their wives, whose church marries two males, who kill hundreds of thousands of people on the pretext of establishing peace, whose women became naked in the packed halls in the name of art? Q65: INTEREST?

I lend a sum, say Rs. 100/-, to a man and he, out of his own free will, promises to give me a gift of Rs. 101- in addition to the amount due. Is this haram? A. It is haram, if it was spoken or understood before you gave him the loan. On the other hand, if nothing like this was spoken at that time, and at the time of repayment he gave you more of his own free will without your asking him in any way to do so, then it is allowed. Q 66: LIFE INSURANCE? Is Life Insurance allowed? A. Yes.

Q67: TAKING PHOTO OF GHAIRMAHRAM My hobby is photography and I undertake part-time work in photography, at wedding functions. Taking on a wedding photographic job means that I do have to take photographs of the ceremonies performed by the ladies which means that many times I, as a photographer, am the only male, person apart from a few others, amongst so many ladies. Now I would like the following clarifications: Is it allowed to take such photographs in the above circumstances?

Is it allowed if there are both males and females gathered together at a function and my prime purpose is just to take photographs? Is it allowed to involve in such photography when one earns his living from it? And in case one does involve himself in this only for the purpose of earning his living, is his earning Halal? A.

You may know the answers to all your questions from the following "Mas'ala of Ayatullah Al-Khui, printed in Tawdihul-Masail': "Mas'ala 2448: "Man should not take photo of a 'Na-Mahram' woman, (i.e.