Zakaat query

Q: Could the Respected Scholar kindly explain the following Zakaah queries:

  1. Some poor (zakaah liable) individuals are owing us money (R1000). Can we settle their debt (R1000) as a payment for our Zakaah and exclude the amount (R1000) from our total Zakaah?
  2. If the above is permissible, do we have to inform the liable debtors that they can keep the loan amount (1000) as Zakaah, and the debt is settled?
  3. If No.1 is permissible, are there any other conditions, requirements etc.?
  4. If No.1 is not permissible, what should be done and how will it effect our Zakaah?
  5. How and when is Bad Debt Defined for Zakaah?
  6. What's the ruling for Bad Debt?
  7. Is it correct to say and understand; that if we don't Qualify to  pay Zakaah, then we Qualify to receive Zakaah?
  8. Does owning a House (personal not commercial), Car disqualify one from receiving Zakaah, even though one does not qualify to pay Zakaah?
  9. How does an Interest (Allah Ta'ala forgive us and make its repayment as fast as possible) loan effect the Zakaah? And how is it deducted etc.?
  10. What's the Status of the Zakaah given to an individual which one was certain is liable, only to find out he is not? Is the Zakaah fulfilled? Is repayment necessary?

19 hour fast

Q: We live in a small northern town in Canada . We are fasting for 19 hours a day. This is causing undue hardship on us as the long days during summer are combined with a lack of sleep. Esha is at 12pm. We are concerned about dehydration and experience extreme exhaustion . Is there a fatwa which exempts such long hours of Fasting? Could we follow the fasting hours of Mecca?

Coming out of Ihraam before cutting one's hair

Q: I went for umrah this past summer. After I completed Tawaf and then Saey, I did not get my hair cut until after taking off the ihraam. After Saey, I went to my hotel room and changed from my ihraam into regular clothes before getting a haircut.  Because of this I am told that I need to do dam (sacrifice to Allah for penance/penalty). My question is do I have to do dam in Haram area or can dam be performed anywhere? I am currently in the USA and cannot go back to Haram.