What is the ruling on discharges two or three days before the expected period of menstruation and the light-colored blood accompanying it? Must the woman abstain from prayer during this period?
If the total duration of these blood-tinged discharges reaches a day and a night (24 hours) or more, it is considered menstruation. If their total does not exceed 24 hours, it is not considered menstruation but is irregular bleeding (dam al-fasad). Each woman has specific cases for which she should ask the scholars. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
What are the Sharia consequences when the sacrificial time for the uḍḥiyyah comes to an end?
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the sun sets at the end of the last of the Days of Tashrīq and the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) has not yet been slaughtered, then its prescribed time has elapsed. Should one slaughter it thereafter, it will not be considered a valid uḍḥiyyah.
However, if the sacrifice was vowed (mandhūrah), then it remains obligatory to slaughter it — and it shall be carried out as a make-up (qaḍā') of the vow, with its meat distributed in the rightful channels designated for such sacrifices.
It is stated in Bushrā al-Karīm (p. 702): "If one slaughters after the sunset of the last of the Days of Tashrīq... it isn`t considered a valid uḍḥiyyah, unless it was vowed — in which case it is carried out as qaḍā'."
And Allah Almighty knows best.
What is the ruling on eating or drinking forgetfully during the day in Ramadan or during voluntary fasting?
Whoever eats or drinks forgetfully while fasting, whether in an obligatory or voluntary fast, should continue their fast, for it is Allah who has provided them with food and drink. There is no difference between obligatory and voluntary fasting in this ruling.
When is supplication (du‘a) more likely to be accepted: before or after breaking the fast in Ramadan?
Du‘a is accepted at all times, and this is part of Allah’s mercy and generosity toward His servants.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "No Muslim makes a supplication that does not involve sin or severing family ties except that Allah grants them one of three things: either He grants their supplication immediately, or He stores it for them in the Hereafter, or He averts from them an equivalent harm." [Narrated by Ahmad]
However, in Ramadan, du‘a is especially likely to be accepted shortly before breaking the fast.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Three supplications are never rejected: the supplication of a fasting person until they break their fast, the supplication of a just leader, and the supplication of an oppressed person. Allah raises it above the clouds, opens the gates of heaven for it, and says: ‘By My might, I will surely grant you victory, even if after a while.’" [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]
