Q: What are the differences between hajj and umrah?

Q: My wife betrayed me by having an affair. 

During the time I questioned her on the details of the affair I became so angry and out of my mind she told me that I have given her 3 talaaq in that moment. 

We both want to work on our marriage and not separate paths. 

I do not recall giving these talaaqs as I was so furious about hearing the details I don't even recall the entire conversation. 

On a side note, I have been diagnosed years ago with severe depression and bipolar disorder and I am a Muslim revert with not much sound knowledge on divorces hence I'm asking for your feedback. 

Trying to look for answers online are insufficient as they all differ in favor to my situation and similarly not in favor of my situation. 

I will appreciate any assistance in this regard more especially due to the fact that I can't recall it from my anger and that this surely was never the intention.

Q: In regards to leftover water of an animal-specifically cats, rats-there is a hadith giving leniency to using its water due to it entering the house often, to this effect:إنما هي من الطوافين و الطوافات, in today's times, can dogs and monkeys be regarded as الطوافين و الطوافات?

Q: Is a secret nikaah in which there are witnesses and where immediate family have been notified acceptable under Hanafi rulings?

Q: Can I talk to my fiancée on the phone so that we can know each other?

Q: A person (Ziyaad) included the following provision in his will: 

4.2. I confirm that the below is due by me in respect of my religious liabilities and obligations in accordance with the tenets of the Islamic faith as at the date of drafting this last will and testament, which amount (s) are to be paid by my executors after the payments in clause 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 (burial expenses and debts), which are to be paid to the Muslim Judicial Body as selected in terms of clause 7.1 and may not exceed one third of my estate. Such liabilities include the following: 

4.2.1. Unperformed Salaah (prayers) R646 800 

4.2.2. Unkept Saum (fasts) R1750 

(end of quote)

I understand that in normal circumstances, the estate would need to bear the cost of the entire fidyah or 1/3 of the estate value if applicable. 

However, in this case, the financial advisor has mentioned to me that in reality there are no outstanding salaah and in that instance no fidyah is due. 

The financial advisor specifically said: “Please note as discussed, Ziyaad signed his will on 09 November 2023 and handed in on 10 November 2023. On 11 November he advised he needs to amend his will as NO unfulfilled religious obligations were outstanding. Being it Saturday, we were to amend it on the Monday the 13th. Unfortunately, on Sunday morning 12 November, he ran a race and passed out and never came to consciousness until he passed away on 23 November 2023. We, therefore, could not get to amend his Will.” 

Will the kaffarah still be applicable regardless of the aforementioned? In other words, will the estate still be liable to pay out the fidyah amounts despite the claim of the financial advisor that says that the deceased said nothing is due from him and he wishes to amend his will to that effect? Or will this statement of his cancel the fidyah that was written in the will?

Q: A persons estate was distributed according to his un-Islamic will. The heirs now went to the Jamiat and did a redistribution according to the Islamic laws. One brother inherited a certain amount and received the money. The rest of the family is now demanding that that brother pay his share back to the daughters of the deceased (his nieces) as they are poor. Is this justified?

Q: I wanted to find out if I go to my father's house for holiday, is my husband still financially responsible for me during my stay there or is it my father's duty?

Q: 

1. Is it permissible to take part in a lucky draw where the participant pays a fee for a ticket and thus enters themselves into the draw where the outcome would be such that they would receive a prize? 

2. Is it permissible if the ticket is purchased for some event, (e.g. a dinner) and thus results in the person becoming part of the lucky draw?

Q: Is it permissible to perform salaah with one's sleeves folded but the sleeves don't go above the elbows? Meaning the elbows are covered but the sleeves are folded.