Imaamah and Topi

Q: I read the hadith "The difference between us and the pagans is that we wear the 'imama on top of the qalansuwa" (Abu Dawud). Does this mean that the mere wearing of a topi resembles the practise of the pagans and that it is better for us to wear imamas? The only problem for me wearing an imama is that it is uncommon amongst the Muslims where I live, most people including elders and teachers wear topi, and I am afraid that I give myself a higher rank than I am worth if I wear an imama. Is this a valid excuse not to wear an imama?

Performing Tahajjud Salaah when one is on safar

Q: We understand that when a person undertakes a journey for a distance of more than 48 Miles/77 km from his city of residence, he is required to offer only 2 Rakaahs of Fard Salaah, if offered alone, up to 19 days of his stay in another city, as confirmed in Sahih Hadith. But, for those who regularly offer Tahajjud Salaah, should they continue offering Tahajjud Salaah for those 19 days while they are in a state of journey to another city? Or is there an exception for them. Please clarify.

Fidyah if one is able to fast

Q: I have few farz rozas due to keep from last ramazan because of monthly period and one of them I left because of severe migraine headache.
Most of the time when I fast I have severe migraine headache with nausea which is quite severe. My question is can I give fitr for the above rozas or do I need to keep it despite the headache.

Making multiple intentions in Nafil Salaah

Q: 

  1. In 2 rakaats of Nafl Salaah, is it permissible to make multiple niyyahs for the salaah? Eg. Salatut Taubah, Salatul Haajat and Salaatus Shukar - all for 2 rakaats only. Or is every Nafl Salaah limited to one niyyah alone? 
  2. I am a Hanafee. Once in a while, during my Nafl Salaah that I read alone, usually at home, I make "Rafa' Yadain" with the intention of practising upon the hadith on the authority of Abdullah bin Omar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) in which Nabi (Sallalallahu alayhi wa salam) did Rafa' Yadain, which appears in Bukhari ​Shareef. It is not a constant practise of mines, but rather once in a while, in seclusion, do I practise this. I understand that as Hanafee's it is more virtuous not to do it, but I enquire with regards to permissibility. Can I continue doing this once in a while? If not, were all my past nafl salaah's considered invalid because of this?

Mut'ah

Q: A couple engaged in a mut'a marriage. They realized after some time that mut'a is not allowed. Is their nikaah valid or should they perform another nikaah?

Standing and drinking Zam Zam

Q:

  1. I have witnessed many Muslims standing up when they drink Zam Zam Water. Those who sit and drink are being ridiculed by many people and even Mullahs who justify that we must always stand up while drinking Zam Zam Water. 
  2. I have also witnessed many people standing/walking while drinking water and eating dates in Haram Sharief in Makkah. But, the Sunnah of Rasul Allah Sallallaahu Alaihiwa Sallam is that we must always sit while drinking or eating. Please clarify in detail.

Performing Salaah on the bare ground without a Musalla

Q: It is understood that performing Salaah/Sajdah in a place with najaasat is impermissible, with or without Prayer mat. But, I have witnessed many Muslims offering Salaah on the floor at offices, at railway stations, inside the aircraft, in trains, on the roads, on the deck of a ship/boat, etc. These places are frequented by many people returning from the toilets with their footwear on, which has a lot of najaasat. Will Salaah not be invalid for those who pray at these places with najaasat? I have had many debates with these people who justify that their Salaah is valid in these places.