Q: My questions concern the notion of pride in Islam. I would like to clarify that I am a man, and I apologize for the length of my questions. 

I would like to know whether pride is permissible in Islam—pride without arrogance, while being aware that it is Allah who provides. For example, is it permissible for me to tell my younger brother that I am proud of him for passing his exams? 

From what I understand, pride in one’s ancestors, origins, and ‘asabiyyah is haraam. In parallel, Allah the Most High says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13) However, if this pride is not accompanied by arrogance or a feeling of superiority over other lineages and origins, is it permissible? I am obviously referring to Muslim ancestors of our origin, not disbelieving ancestors. Is it permissible to be proud of their history, their courage and bravery in fighting in the path of Allah, their good character, their way of dressing, their traditional craftsmanship, and to promote this pride among members of my people? 

Likewise, is it permissible to be proud of one’s culture of origin—clothing, traditional food, craftsmanship, way of life, etc.—and to promote this pride among one’s people and encourage them to preserve certain cultural elements? I am referring here only to permissible customs. I would also like to clarify that I appreciate seeing Muslims from other backgrounds being proud (without arrogance or a sense of superiority) of their cultures. For example, I appreciate seeing Arabs being proud and encouraging other Gulf Arabs to wear the shemagh/ghutra, or Afghans/Desi people wearing turbans and the salwar kameez. I mention this to show that my feeling is not limited to my own people, but applies to all Muslims without distinction. I also believe this can help counter the homogenization caused by the westernization of Muslim societies. If this is permissible, but this cultural pride is tied to the fact that we consider it the heritage of our (Muslim) ancestors, is it still permissible? 

Finally, is it permissible to feel proud (without showing off, arrogance, or a sense of superiority) that people recognize my origin based on the clothing I wear when I travel (for a few days, not long-term) or during celebrations such as Eid (I live in a multicultural place where such clothing is not considered لباس الشهرة)?

Q: I have a few questions regarding masjid. 

1. What are the requirements for a building to be called a masjid (and subsequently all the rules of a masjid must be followed)? 

2. Do the rules of a masjid apply to a musallah? 

3. Can there be a masjid in a non-Muslim country? 

3a. I have heard that in Canada a building is not owned permanently by a person and the government can take control of it (either any time or a lease of 99 years apply), so can there be a masjid in the aforementioned case? 

4. If one has taken upon an item of the masjid for safekeeping, can they personally use it? It was bought by the masjid money.

Q: 

1. My mum is deceased 3 years. In her inheritance, she has left behind a business. I want to sell my share of the business. The executors say that I have to sell it in the family and not to any outsider as its a family business partnership and part of the estate. Is this condition valid? 

2. Do they have the right to stipulate the price or can I sell it at a suitable price? 

3. As far as distributing the estate, how long does one have to wait, as the executors say that they have received monies from the deceased investment but are still investigating details.?

4. Is there any punishment or effect on the deceased if there is delay in winding up the estate? 

5. Is the inheritor being difficult or disrespectful in requesting their share of inheritance?

Q: Is it permissible for non-baaligh children to give sadaqah from their own spending or to buy gifts for others with their own money? 

Also, will non-baaligh siblings be able to share with each other something that was given to them individually?

Q: When a person became baaligh, he was not allowed to fast by his mother due to him being asthmatic. His mother would take out fidyah for him each year instead of him fasting. This carried on for ten years until he got married. After marriage, his wife told him to try fasting, and he managed and was fasting ever since. Now he has reached old age, and he will not be physically able to fast the ten years fast that he missed. 

1. Will the fidyah given by his mother while he was young be sufficient as compensation for the missed fasts? 

2. If not, what can he do now to compensate for the fasts missed?

Q: Is it permissible for two or more people to pay for one sheep or 1 share of a cow for nafl Qurbani after having done a separate waajib Qurbani? Does the ruling differ between sheep and cattle?

Q: If a person who was involved in the sin of sihr and black magic wants to make a sincere taubah for this wrong, then how must he get the complete forgiveness of Allah?

Q: Is it correct to have a bayaan on the day of Jumuah before the khutbah and salaah as is common without considering it to be Sunnah or Mustahab? 

Is it correct to have bayaans on auspicious nights like Laylatul Qadr and other auspicious nights without considering it to be Sunnah or Mustahab?

Q: If one is doing a property development, what is the mas'alah of selling the property off-plan? From limited knowledge, we are aware that if a commodity is not in stock, one is not allowed to sell it. 

Q: I heard that 4 rakaats after Esha is equal to Tahajjud Salaah on Laylatul-Qadr. I wanted to know what's the tarteeb of reading these 4 Rakaats, is it 2 Sunnah and 2 Nafl before Witr or is it 2 Sunnah then 2 Nafl and another 2 nafl then Witr or is it 2 Sunnah and 4 Nafl with one Salaam and then Witr? 

Also, what will be the count of the Esha Rakaats taking into consideration either 4 or 2 Rakaats before, these 4 mentioned in the Hadith and also the 2 Rakaats sitting after Witr?