Q: Will the nikaah be valid if the boy and girl conduct the nikaah alone without the presence of witnesses?

Q: I have an important aqidah question. Some Muslim apologists are claiming Surah 51:47 is discussing scientific foreknowledge of the expanding universe in secular science. They claim the word "musiuna" in the ayah means "expanding", is this correct? I read in Surah 79:28, it says the heavens were "rafa'a", raised, which is past tense, which contradicts expanding. Does Al Quran teach an expanding, or static universe?

Q: A South African Muslim's son became a Christian. Should his family cut of all ties with him? He assists his parents with cash and kind as they are not well to do, can they accept this help? His father died, can he attend the janaazah? Can he pay towards all the burial expenses? He now comes home often to console his mother and fulfil any needs she has as he can, is this fine? The rest of the family are adamant that his mother and sister cut off all ties with him and stop him from coming home. Is this correct advice according to Shari'ah? He has two small children who are dearly loved by their  grandmother. Can they visit? Is it correct to call them children of Shaitaan?

Q: What are the main differences between a "Mufti" and a "Faqeeh"? May Allah bless you all for your services.

Q:

1. I was unfortunately involved in an illicit relationship with a girl who was in the same class as me. This was last year and it was the final year. With the Fazal Karam and Ihsaan of Allah Ta'ala I changed my life. Allah Ta'ala gave me the Taufeeq to not let my gaze fall on this female from just before Ramadan till now. The only contact we had after Allah Ta'ala guided me was I sent her an email with past exam papers which seemed to me as a necessity. May Allah Ta'ala keep us guided and save us from the traps of naffs and shaytaan the accursed. However, before turning away, the human feeling of emotion made me tell her that I would still want to marry her, etc. I don't know if she is "waiting for me" or what. After listening to advices and bayanaat of the pious, I would like to do my nikaah as right as possible and in in a manner that's most pleasing to Allah Ta'ala so it can be full of barqat. Something that started of with haraam can not be the best way to go forward. My heart is not inclined towards something that was a means of me displeasing Allah Ta'ala. What should I do? I have intention of settling down Insha Allah.

2. I had a dream of my madressa principal saheb (D.B) informing me that he was fortunate to have me as a student in his madressa. The total opposite is true.

Q: I am a 26 year old boy from India. I have a non-muslim (Hindu) girl friend 25 years old since 5 to 6 years. I explained her about Islam and its beauty. She got a lot of knowledge about Islam and now we want to marry and live together. But we have two problems in our way:

1. My family doesn't know about our relationship so far and my father is a heart patient, he faced a heart attack recently. Due to Indian culture and society he will never allow us to live together.

2. If I leave the girl then she will have to go back to her past and I am afraid her family will marry her with a non-muslim boy and she will not able to become a Muslim in the future after knowing facts about Islam. I am confused, if I marry her my father may not able to face this situation. Please give me the best solution. I want to know what is best in the way of Allah.

Q: Whilst busy with work or secular studies at home, may I listen to the following audio recordings as a 'background'? 1. Recitation of the Qur'an Shareef. 2. Recording of a Zikr majlis. 3. A Bayaan. 4. A single nazm occasionally (like twice a week).

Q: Can I use the name Azeem without using Abdul for any person? What about the name Aazam which in some dictionaries shows the meaning 'greatest'. But the greatest is Allah Ta'ala.

Q: Meray ghar ke halaat kafi kaharaab hain ak bhai nay toh bikul vhor deya hai humain shadi kerli hao or baki 3 main zay 2 bohot zulm or zaiti kerty hain martay hajn or galiyaan daity hain rishtaydaaroun main bhi zaleel kerdeya hai hala kay aisi koi baat hai he nai mera rab janta hai meri or meri behnoun ki sharafat ki mera ak bhai hum per bohot yaqqen kerta hai or job bhi kerta hai chota hai sab say baki baray do kaam bhi nai kertay ammi abbu say had darjay ki batameezi kerty hain unki ak nai sunty or ghar bhaity rehtay hain abbu ammmi ko tanv kerty hain meray abbu bhurhay hogay hain phir bhi itni mehnat ka kaam kertay hain unko zara taras nai ata or paisy bhi zabardasti nikalvatay hain beyshak abbu k pass na houn yah hath tang ho.. main kal khawab main abbu ko kafi buri halat main dekha thakay huvay mitti lagi huvi or ganday huvay or gadi main bhi mitti kafi or humain behnoun or ammi ko bazar say pick krrty hIn or boltay hain ajj main bohot thak gaya iska kia matlab huva plz batadain.

Q: I have tried calculating my zakaat but unfortunately I get quite confused when gold is added. Will really appreciate some guidance on this.

1. I recently married and received pieces of jewellery which is less than 85 grams in total. Am I liable to pay zakaat on this?

2. I currently have 2 (1 oz) Kruger coins as well as 2 Mandela coins. When I researched the grams its 28.35 grams = 1 Ounce. The mandela coins have 5.1 grams of Gold and 2.68 grams of silver. Am I liable to pay zakaat on this?

I also have cash but shukr at least this I know how to calculate.