Q: I need clarification on a matter. My wife and I have been having marital problems for some time and we have 2 sons ages 6 and 10. 

First question, we live in a non-Muslim country whose laws contradict with certain shariah rulings. For example a court does not consider the shariah method of child custody. As a Muslim, which law prevails? My reason for asking this is I was told that you cannot follow shariah when it suits you and not when it doesn't. 

Second question, in terms of children, my wife has said that if we have to divorce, then I will only get to see my kids every second weekend, is this Shariah? I seek clarification on this matter and understanding as in todays time we do not do what is in the best interest of the child but rather our own selfish needs based on hurt and trauma we have went through in our marriage.

Q: A person purchased a bull for qurbaani. Later on, he decides to sell some shares of the animal to people who intend doing qurbaani. Will it be permissible for him to sell some of the shares? 

Q: Is it permissible to charge a general 15% handling fee for all returns for admin and transportation costs? 

E.g. The seller is in Durban and the buyer is in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The seller incurred admin and transport costs to get the goods delivered and will incur costs to get the goods returned. There could be various reasons for the returns - incorrect goods supplied, excess stock bought, damaged goods received, buyer cannot sell the goods etc. 

Q: I heard someone mention that they learnt in one lesson that there is no such thing as going straight into jannah. Everyone has to answer for their sins, so if someone dies as a shaheed or with a stomach illness, then they will be saved from the punishment of the grave but they will still have to answer to Allah Ta’ala for their deeds. 

What I understood is that the teacher is not saying that they cannot go straight into jannah. The point was it is only through Allah’s mercy that we will be allowed into jannah without reckoning - but the rule is that everyone has to answer for their sins. 

Is this true regarding a shaheed or anyone else where it is generally understood they are forgiven and will gain direct entry into Jannah?

Q: Is it permissible for a man to: 

1. Use facial exercises to either make his lips slimmer or bigger, or to improve their eye shape? This only trains or untrains the muscles of the face and doesn't necessarily permanently change the structure of the face. 

2. Use chin tucks to increase his jawline visibility? Chin tuck is an exercise by help of which fixes their neck posture. Effectively leading to jawline visibility. 

3. Reduce fat using lifestyle changes to get slimmer nose, or increase fat using lifestyle changes to get bigger nose, and similarly to get sharper or softer facial features?

Q: What age is best for a parent to give their child a phone?

Q: With the recent conflict in the Middle East, we are bound to be worried. Recently, the President of Brazil had called out to the the President of South Africa stating that we should be prepared and ready as our country is at a risk of getting invaded. 

Some Ulama have called out in the Western Cape saying that we should stock up and store goods. 

My question is, is it permissible to buy in bulk and store items?

Q: Can I please have the most comprehensive definition of falaah.

Q: A person need to give R25 000 in Zakaat. If he buys a cattle (for that price) and give it's meat as Zakaat, is it permissible and will his whole zakaat be regarded as done?

Q: I am involved in a trust investment between 4 people. After a few years in this investment, I have decided to retract my investment interests in the trust fund. My pulling out has some name transfer costs. Who has to pay for the costs, will it be entirely on me or split between all involved?