Question
There is a common perception that husband's brother is "death". However, the sister's husband is generally not viewed in the same category since a woman cannot marry her sister's husband while she is in his nikah. Therefore, a woman may argue that her sister's husband is like a mahram to her, and not in the same category as the husbands brother. Please advise.
Answer
The following Hadith is narrated in Sahīh Bukhari,
عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالدُّخُولَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَرَأَيْتَ الْحَمْوَ . قَالَ الْحَمْوُ الْمَوْتُ (البخاري ج 6 ص 194 , دار الفكر)
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir رضى الله عنه narrates that Rasūlullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said, "Beware of intermingling with women (in isolation)" then a man from the Ansār said, "O Rasūlullah, what about the brother-in-law (and other male in-laws)?" He صلى الله عليه و سلم replied, "The in-laws are death."
From the beginning of this Hadith, we learn that Rasūlullah صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited any type of isolation and intermingling between any non-Mahram men or women; thus, the prohibition is not restricted to certain relatives or people. It was only after the Sahaabi asked Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم about the brother in-law that Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم specifically mentioned it. The commentators of Hadith mention that the reason why Rasūlullah صلى الله عليه و سلم used such severe warnings in respect to a brother in-law is that people are generally negligent and careless in this regard. Thus, since the same negligence and carelessness exists in regards to the husband's brother, also exists in the wife's sister; the same severe warning would apply to them. Furthermore, neither the husband's brother is a Mahram nor is the wife's sister. A Mahram according to the Shariah is such a person whom one can never marry. In the case of the brother in-law or sister in-law, it will be permissible to marry them after terminating the Nikah with the first husband or wife. They are in the same category in regards to their status of being non-Mahram. Thus, one should be equally as cautious in regards to the wife's sister as the husband's brother.
And Allah knows best

Question
In my office all we have western toilets. many non Muslims uses the toilets throughout the day and make them dirty. I can sit on toilet plate and pass urine. Prior I used to sit on top of toilet with help of my legs and pass urine. Now I fear that if I fell down or toilet breaks I may get injured, so I have stopped passing urine this way. Now I pass urine standing or bending a little. After passing urine I use toilet paper to dry up and then wash by water.
I know it is against sunnat to pass urine while standing, but I am helpless.
My question is: Is it sin to pass urine while standing? What is solution in this kind of situation?
Answer
When using the western style toilet (high pan), one should be cautious about impurities splashing on the body and clothes. If it is possible to squat on the toilet then we advise to squat on top and urinate. One should be put some tissue in the water to avoid splashes from the toilet bowl water. Another option is to bend down low enough into a sitting position without putting the rear end on the toilet seat and pass urine.
If it is not possible to squat on top of the toilet, then one may sit on the toilet seat and relieve oneself. The toilet seat should be cleaned with water if possible. If not, the one may wipe it a few times with wet tissue papers.
If this also is not possible, then one may stand and urinate. One should make sure that no drops of urine splashes onto the body or clothes. It is makruh to urinate standing without a valid excuse. Therefore, this should be the last option as the chances of urine splashing are greater and also it is difficult to make istinja in this manner.

Question
We are five sisters and have no brother. My father is the only earning member of our family and he stays abroad. I used to help in all the household matters. But I got married last month. My parents don't take any help from me anymore.
I would like to know what are the duties of a daughter after marriage towards her parents. Alhamdulillah my husband is a God fearing person and would be happy to oblige.
Answer
May Allah Ta'ala reward you for your willingness to assist your parents and siblings.
According to Shari'ah, it is the duty of the husband to provide the financial needs for his wife and minor children. It is the joint responsibility of the husband and wife to nurture their children in a proper manner. It is only natural for you to worry about your mother and siblings since you will be leaving. However, now that you will be joining your new husband overseas, he will be responsible for your care and not your parents. Therefore, you may assist your mother and siblings out of good will if your husband gives you permission. Besides this, the duties of a married daughter towards her parents are to respect them and obey them in all commands as long as it is not something against the Shari'ah.
If the household affairs become difficult to manage once you leave and your mother needs assistance, then it will be the duty of your father to either make arrangements for your mother and siblings to join him in the country where he works or he should return to your country and seek alternative, suitable employment there so that he may be able to live with the family and assist them in all affairs.

Question
I have read that you have to have full clothes on when you go to bed. I have a habit of sleeping naked, but I do cover myself with a sheet or blanket. Is that okay to do so? I make sure I am fully covered with the blanket.
Answer
Modesty is an integral part of one's faith. Without modesty, a person can never be a true Muslim. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الإيمان بضع وستون شعبة والحياء شعبة من الإيمان. (صحيح البخاري، حديث رقم: 8)
"Imaan has more than sixty branches and Hayaa (modesty) is an extremely important branch of Imaan. (Bukhari, Hadith: 08)
عن أبي مسعود قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إن مما أدرك الناس من كلام النبوة إذا لم تستحي فاصنع ما شئت. (صحيح البخاري، حديث رقم: 3225)
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Mas'ood (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, " When you begin to lack modesty, then do whatever you wish". (Bukhari, Hadith: 3225)
عن أبي السوار العدوي قال سمعت عمران بن حصين قال قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الحياء لا يأتي إلا بخير. (صحيح البخاري، حديث رقم 5652)
It is also narrated on the authority of Imraan ibn Husayn (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, " Hayaa (modesty) only brings good". (Bukhari, Hadith: 5652)
It is against the dictates of Hayaa (modesty) to sleep naked.
And Allah knows best