“O you who believe, fear Allah and speak words of truth.* He will set your deeds right for you and forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a tremendous triumph.” 1. To proceed:

This subject may raise questions for many people. Some may ask: Why this subject and this title, when other matters of religion may be more important? Yet this subject, particularly in our present time, occupies the minds of many people—not only the general public, but even students of knowledge. This is because the publication of religious rulings through the media and their dissemination among the people have become widespread. Differences between one person’s view and another’s have become a source of confusion, and even doubt, for many people—especially members of the general public, who do not know the grounds underlying such differences. I therefore decided—with Allah’s help—to discuss this matter,