Literal meanings of Halal are lawful, allowed or permitted. In Islamic context Halal means things, practices or activities approved by Allah (God), either told to us by the Holy Qur-an or our beloved, the last Rasul (Messenger) of Allah (God), Muhammad S. Halal could refer to income, food, dress, social and religious practices etc. Muslims must earn their livelihood by Halal (Lawful) means only and consume only Halal (Lawful) foods and drinks. Muslims practice only Halal (Lawful) activities in their lives. There are certain Halal (Lawful) activities, which temporarily become Haram (Unlawful) during Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah), when a pilgrim is in the state of Ihram. Some examples are hunting or killing animals in Haram (Sacred Area), having sex with spouse etc.

Halq means shaving of head. During Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah), the male pilgrims either shave their heads or trim their hair on the 10^th of Dhul Hijjah, after offering sacrifice to Allah (God). After Halq, pilgrims get out of the state of Ihram. Female pilgrims are required to trim a lock of their hair by only a digit of the finger. Term for doing Halq is Tahliq. Male pilgrims can also trim their hair instead of shaving the head.

There are four major schools of thought in Islam namely, Hanafi, Maliki, Shaf’i, and Hambali, named after Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shaf’i, and Imam Ahmad bin Hambal, respectively. These learned scholars of Islam, made their interpretations more than 200 years after the demise of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to standardize Islamic rituals and practices. All four of them agree on all major aspects of Islam and there are some minor differences of opinions on certain ritualistic aspects of Islamic religious practices. At times, those minor differences of opinion are blown out of proportion and they acquire the shape of a major conflict. Muslims normally follow one of the four Schools of Islamic thought. Muslims who have acquired in depth knowledge on Islam can pick and choose from various Schools of thoughts. Following the schools of thought mainly took place of geographical grounds. Hambali School of Islamic thought represents the interpretation of various Islamic rituals by Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Ahmad bin Hambal. He was born at Baghdad in 164H  (Hijrah) (780 AD). He died in the year 241H (Hijrah) (855 AD).

People living within the Haram area are called Ahlul Haram.

Surah (Chapter) al-Hashr (The Gathering) is the 59^th chapter of the Holy Qur-an. It is a Madani Surah (Chapter) meaning that this Surah (Chapter) was revealed after the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S had migrated to Madinah. Surah (Chapter) al-Hashr (The Gathering) consists of twenty-four Ayat (Verses). This Surah (Chapter) mentions the expulsion of the Jewish tribes from Madinah and its vicinity when they broke their pact with Muslims. Their strong forts and their secret liaison with the enemies of Islam and Muslims did not work in their favor. It also mentions many beautiful names and attributes of Allah (God).