Q: I am planning to go for Hajj in 2020 but not sure what kind of sandal I can wear when I am in ihraam. I found that some of them are saying I have to wear a slipper with the 2 belts (flip flop) without any stitches. Some say that I can wear any kind as long as the back and the front are open and some say that it cannot cover the middle part of the foot. Please  explain to me what kind of footwear I can wear, if possible a picture would be great.

Q: Is it permissible to play the lotto in order to use the prize money as a loan to start a business? Once a profit is made, money equalling the lotto amount will be given away in charity.

Q: What is the concept of gender roles in Islam? Can I get a detailed answer with all references please?

Q: I got married in 1995. In 1998, my husband said on the phone "If you don't come by tonight's flight we will not be able to stay together, but as flights were not available I could only reach the next day. My husband did not intend to divorce me.

1. Is it counted as one divorce?

In 2002 we had to sign a court paper in America of divorce due to some official issues but we asked a clergy if this will be counted as divorce and he said no. After making sure that it does not affect our relationship we signed the papers, and stayed afterwards together as husband and wife.

2. Is it counted as talak?

In 2003, after a fight with my husband, he sent me mail saying that he does not want to continue the relationship but he did not use the term talak, but he intended to give talak. We are staying seperately after that but we spoke to each other atleast once or twice in a year as some mufti told me that I am not divorce and to keep the relationship I should be talking to him. After that I consulted many muftis to know if our relationship existed but some said that it existed while others said that it did not.

Please confirm as we want to stay together now after a lot of hardships for many years. We are trying to stay together but because of this being not clear we are not able to continue our relationship. 

Q: A married man has done a mistake by having intercourse with another girl one time. He is feeling very ashamed of himself after that and is making taubah to Allah all the time. Will he be forgiven by Allah and what should he do to feel at ease? 

Q: I would like to know if its permissible to put in a copper loop as a contraception?

Q: I made intention to perform umrah this year if I passed a certain exam. I passed the exam. However I have a few financial constraints right now. Can I perform umrah next year or do I have to perform it this year?

Q: I work in a hospital. The hand rub we use contains alcohol (ethanol) mixed with glycerine. Some drops fell on my clothes and dried. Can I pray with that clothes?

Q: Can we wear fancy clothes according to Islam? Fancy clothes as in long maxy dresses which are loose, the sleeves are full and the legs are not visible. My father says that it’s not allowed in Islam and causes gunah just because it’s a bit fancy. No body part is visible except for the face, yet he calls all my dresses inappropriate. Can we not wear fancy clothes on weddings? 

Q: If a person commits suicide, does the person go straight to hell?