Day Questions

When purifying something from urine, is it necessary to pour water twice with under-kurr water? Would it be sufficient to pour water once for a longer period continuously?

One must repeat the washing in order to purify a place from urine. It is not sufficient to wash once for an elongated time.

Can we celebrate Christmas and New Year? What about giving gifts to your Christian colleagues/workers/teachers on the occasion of Christmas, and wishing ‘Happy New Year’ to Muslims and Christians?

Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him and his progeny) is the final prophet, and his message is the last divine message. Practices of other religions are not recognized by the Islamic Sharia. However, Islam emphasizes on cohabitation with followers of other religions. It is permissible to do what makes such co-existence without considering such acts a part of the Sharia, as long as it does not involve any forbidden act.

Sometimes I get excessive headaches while fasting, and water is the only relief. If I drink water so as to relieve my headaches, is my fast valid, and is there a kaffara or any penalty

You may drink the water to relieve the pain if it causes hardship, but the fast will become invalid and will need to be made up later. However, there is no kaffara in such a situation.

What supplication one can recite when using the toilet?

When one enters the place where he will relieve himself, it is recommended to say: "Bismillah, Allahumma Inee A'outhu bika min-al-khabeeth al-mukhabbath ar-rijs an-najis ash-Shaytan ar-rajeem".  "بسم الله اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الخبيث المخبث الرجس النجس الشيطان الرجيم".