Dr. Ali Gomaa, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and former Grand Mufti of Egypt, has been trending on social media platforms since the airing of his Ramadan program "Nur al-Din," which began on the first day of Ramadan. Throughout the program, he responds to questions from children prioritized by the United Media Services Company, aiming to educate them and help them develop good morals through diverse programs and artistic works.
During the episodes of "Nur al-Din," Dr. Ali Gomaa addressed many issues and answered numerous complex questions posed by children aged between 11 and 15 years old. These questions ranged from social, religious, to personal matters, and here are the ten most notable fatwas he provided during the program:
1. **Heaven is Not Exclusive to Muslims**:
A girl asked, "Why do only Muslims enter paradise when there are other religions like Christianity?" Gomaa responded, questioning, "Who said only Muslims would enter paradise? This is incorrect because God said otherwise," referencing the verse: "Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews, the Christians and the Sabians, whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deeds will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve."
2. **Is Celebrating Christmas Halal or Haram?**:
In response to whether celebrating Christmas is permissible, Gomaa explained, "Celebrating the New Year means celebrating the birth of Christ, which is a miraculous birth. The Qur'an acknowledges it, making it a holiday of love and peace."
3. **Relationship Between a Young Man and Woman Outside of Marriage**:
When asked if a relationship between a young man and a woman before marriage is haram, Gomaa clarified that not all interactions are forbidden. He emphasized that if there is moral integrity, then such interactions can be acceptable, but if that integrity is compromised, one should withdraw from the relationship immediately.
4. **How Old is God?**:
A primary school student asked, “How old is God? And how can I convince myself that God exists?” Gomaa answered, “God has always existed... He is outside of time and space, so He has no beginning or end.”
5. **Is Online Chatting Between a Boy and Girl Considered A Private Meeting or Haram?**:
Regarding whether chatting is considered a private meeting, Gomaa stated, "Chatting is not a private meeting as long as it is public, and parents are aware of it."
6. **Is the Burkini Permissible?**:
In response to whether wearing a burkini is halal, he remarked, "The burkini is better than the bikini."
7. **Could God Abolish Hell?**:
Discussing religious discourse, he emphasized that it should promote love and mercy rather than hate. He mentioned that death is a continuation of life, not its end, and that it is possible for God to eliminate hell in the afterlife.
8. **Is Makeup Permissible?**:
Addressing the ruling on women getting tattoos and cosmetic procedures, Gomaa mentioned, "Anything that alters God's creation is forbidden, especially if it involves piercing the skin and accessing blood, which is considered impure by consensus among Muslims. However, makeup is permissible as it is for beautification and does not penetrate the skin."
9. **Wearing the Hijab Incorrectly**:
A girl asked if she should remove her hijab if she wears it improperly by showing her neck. Gomaa advised that she should continue wearing it and work on improving how she wears it, encouraging gradual progress in practicing her faith.
10. **Is the Niqab Obligatory?**:
Regarding whether the niqab is obligatory like the hijab, Gomaa responded that the niqab is not obligatory and that a woman performing pilgrimage must uncover her face, as the hijab is regarded as mandatory, while the niqab is not.
This raises questions about the authority overseeing religious discourse, including fatwas, as well as other religious sciences from the interpretation of the Qur'an to what is halal and haram.
