Using soaps, creams with alcohol

Q:

  1. Alcohol is used in most creams, soaps and perfumes. Are we allowed to use them? What is the ruling regarding the use if ethnol and synthetic ethnol?
  2. Can we then wear perfume to the mosque? Once sprayed the alcohol vanishes.
  3. In Hadith it says khamr that is made out of grapes and dates is haram. What about barley?

Attending Kuffaar festivals

Q: My family are not Christian, they belong to a kuffaar sect who act like Muslims (alevi), however this year they have decided to have a family Christmas celebration on 25/12. They will exchange presents in a kris kringle (secret santa gift exchange where everyone anonymously buys one person a gift) and will share a family meal with traditional Christmas foods.

  1. Can I attend this gathering?
  2. I'm pretty sure I can't partake in the gift exchange, is this correct?
  3. Please advise on Surahs/duas for me to say to help my family become Muslim.

How did the Malaaikah know that the children of Aadam (Alayhis Salaam) will cause mischief on the earth?

Q: My question is that as per reference of Surah Bakra when Allah Ta'ala created Hazrat Adam (Alayhis Salaam) then the Angels said "this man will create fights on earth"(mafhoom). So how did they know that because before Hazrat Adam (Alayhis Salaam) they never saw any human being?

Speaking lies

Q: Married couples go and live abroad. The husband legally divorces his wives and makes her live like a single wife, divorcee or as a widow in order to get monetary assistance from the government. Is this permissible?