UAE Fatwa Q&As: How do I know if my house is enchanted and what can I do?


  • English
  • Arabic

I feel there is something wrong in my household. Members of my family seem upset and never exchange good news. Every day there is a new problem with no apparent cause. How do I know if my house is enchanted and what can I do to resolve the situation?

What you have mentioned cannot indicate for sure that black magic is in possession of your house, but to protect yourself and your household, there are various actions you could take.

You should increase your acts of charity and prayers.

You are also advised to supplicate to Allah saying: “I seek refuge with Allah’s perfect words from every shaytan (devil) and poisonous creature and every evil eye.”

When you enter your home, you should also say “Bismi Allah (in the name of Allah)” and the related dhikr.

Recite Surat Al Baqara whenever this is possible.Abu Huraya narrated that the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon Him) said: “Do not turn your houses into graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al Baqara is recited.”

What do the two statements “haya ala assalat” and “haya ala alfalah” from the Adhan call to worship mean?

The Arabic verb “haya” means hurry. When it is combined with salat (prayer) and falah (success), it indicates that one should go to the mosque to offer salat. On this matter, the scholar Ibn al Haj explained in his book Al Madkhal that “haya ala assalat, haya ala alfalah” means hurry towards salat and success.

In the classical dictionary of Arabic language, Lisan al Arab, al falah is religiously defined as success, salvation and eternal life in an utterly blissful existence. The call for it means hastening towards acquiring the means of making this bliss happens and last. It is also a call for undertaking the deeds, namely performing prayers in a group, to ensure winning paradise. And Allah knows best.

If you have a question for Awqaf, email newsdesk@thenational.ae with the subject line ‘Fatwa Q&A’.

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RESULTS
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In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

  • 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
  • 150 tonnes to landfill
  • 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

 

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule

 

  • 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
  • 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Brief scoreline:

Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first

England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66

South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12

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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.