Day Questions

Is it allowed to recite the temporary marriage contract formula on the phone or to write it in an email or in a chatroom?

It is valid if it was via telephone or similar live voice communication, and not valid if it was via chat or email.

If the woman is divorced and no sexual intercourse took place during last three months, then is it necessary for her to observe iddah?

If the marriage is consummated i.e. intercourse took place even once, then she must observe the iddah.

Many cars for sale in America have leather seats. It is not clear if the leather is from a Muslim country. Should this leather be treated as tahir, or as an obligatory precaution is it best to keep away?

If the leather is genuine it is considered najis if it was in a non-Islamic country and one did not know that the leather was from an animal that was slaughtered according to the Sharia.

Is it permissible to rely on the result of the Istikhara and accept the man for marriage without the approval of the girl?

It is obligatory to seek the best interests of the girl, and her acceptance is necessary in marriage.