My husband spends part of his salary on his sister (who has lost her husband and has three children to support). This makes me very angry, so I sometimes think of divorce. Of course we can meet our expenses, but somehow I cannot make myself accept the situation. Am I right or am I committing a sin for having such a viewpoint? (Faizah, Thailand)

Dear Faizah, you need to study and think deeply about the duties of a Muslim. If you do so, you will certainly change your mind and will never get angry, let alone think about divorce over such matters. We know that helping those in need, particularly if they happen to be one's relatives is recommended in Islam. Try to think about the rewards promised by Allah the Beneficent to His benevolent, dutiful servants and always remember that the Holy Qur'an says:

“Allah loves the beneficent " So, be patient and instead of blaming your husband for helping his needy sister, try to express your admiration for being a caring brother to his sister. And rest assured that this way, you will share the rewards. 

Q: I'm a woman in my early 30s. I'm losing my hair, you can see my scalp! Is there something wrong with me? (Shamim, India)

A: You are not the only case in this regard. More than a third of women experience hair loss (alopecia) during their lifetime. In fact women lose hair for a variety of reasons. Studies show that hair loss affects 3% to 6% of women under 30 and 29% to 42% of women who are 70 or older. In some cases, female hair loss can be temporary -- triggered by certain medications, for example. But it can also be permanent. It may occur in patches or all over the scalp. Women can also lose body hair. Without treatment, hair will not regrow, and it will continue to thin.

There are two types of permanent hair loss: female-pattern hair loss and hair loss caused by scarring. Female-pattern hair loss is the most common, and is usually caused by an increase in the level of male hormones. As with men, the likelihood of developing the condition increases with age and with a family history of hair loss. The pattern of hair loss in women differs from that of men. The hair thins gradually at a part and the overall volume decreases. Hair loss then spreads across the top of the head. In severe cases, large areas of the scalp can be affected.

The most common treatment for this type of hair loss is medication.
Hair loss caused by scarring affects about 3% to 7% of the population. It's caused by an inflammatory process that damages the hair follicles, leaving scar tissues in their place. For some people, hair loss is gradual and has no symptoms; for others, hair loss is rapid and accompanied by severe itching, burning sensations and pain. Young adults are the most commonly affected.

Currently, no cure exists for scarring hair loss. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and stopping the loss of more hair. Drugs may be prescribed, including topical anti-inflammatory medications and topical steroids.

Talk to your doctor about your options soon. With the help of your doctor you could have a better hair by the time your reunion rolls around next year.