The concept of taqdeer and the purpose of life

Q:

1. What is the concept of taqdeer and Allah knowing and deciding our taqdeer?

If dua can change taqdeer, then does Allah not know of the dua or is dua bad? But we are supposed to ask in dua.

I feel like when I make dua that many times it does get accepted and come through, but most of the time it later backfires and the same thing that I was given causes me more pain and suffering.

2. What is life's focus supposed to be and why should we do it? What is my personality supposed to be like as a Muslim?

Depressed due to acne and other self esteem issues

Q: I am severely depressed due to acne on my face. For so long it won't get cured and due to it I have many phycological problems and mental disorders like ocd, anxiety, immense stress depressions and suicidal thoughts.

When I try to stay positive and forget about it, someone comes and passes negative remarks and reminds me of it again and how bad it looks. I am extremely depressed and can't even face my family. I have extremely low self esteem and and feel caged in my body. Its' on my mind 24/7 and can't do anything because of it. I am also failing in my studies due to it , and am failing in deen and dunya. Please help me.

Sharing pictures of women on social media

Q: On Twitter, there's a social media account where a person anonymously receives and posts stories to his followers of peoples’ samoosa runs. He claims that the stories are anonymous and he has inspired many people. The female fans flock over his stories and get emotional if the story doesn't end well and create fantasies of their own lives when they read a good story. He has posted 128 stories over 3 years. Recently, he posted a picture of a car of someone who saw a girl in a random car and wanted to track her down so he posted that picture for his followers to identify the person. Is it permissible to take pictures of strange women and post them on the internet for such purposes? Is it permissible to continue posting such stories when this is the lengths people will go to?

Entering the Albany bread competition

Q: Will the Albany bread competition below be permissible?

By purchasing four loaves of bread and sending through the unique codes (the codes are sent by SMS charged at 40c for every 20 sec), one will be eligible to receive a free loaf of bread. Together with this, one will be entered into a draw for other prizes. If a person enters with the intention of receiving the free loaf of bread only, will this then be permissible as the loaf of bread is a guaranteed prize?

Simply buy any 4 of our participating promo packs.

You’ll need to successfully collect 4 out of 4 unique codes in order to claim 1x free Albany loaf voucher.

How do you claim yours?

Buy 4 Albany loaves. Find the unique code in the pack. Dial *120*12214# and follow the prompts to enter your code. You’ll receive a wiCode SMS voucher to the value of R16,50. Each unique code entered is another chance to WIN R5000 cash daily and one of 1000 School Essentials vouchers valued at R200 each and one of 1000 more School Essentials vouchers. Once you have received your R16,50 wiCode SMS voucher, you’ll have 14 days to claim your free bread from participating outlets using your wiCode voucher. Every 4 codes entered is another chance to claim another FREE loaf of Albany Bread and every code entered is a chance to WIN daily R5000 cash daily.

Remedy for negative thoughts

Q: I am overwhelmed with soo much negativity. I don’t believe in myself at all - I’m unable to learn or understand and worried my kids also have the same. Everyday is soo hard for me as I am so useless at everything. I’m worried my kids will be the same. I am taking medication with no effect as my stupidity is true - I don’t know how I can live with such a useless mind. Because how I feel, I am so intimidated to spend time with other mums and their kids as everyone is so bright and we are just so dumb. I have been praying and making dua for the last 2 years but nothing can help if I’m like this. I feel like I should end my life as I can’t live like this. I’m just not good enough to live in this world and don’t think I’m strong enough to look after my kids.