Q: What does it mean to fear Allah?

• 3:130-131 (O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.)

Considering the above ayaat, why did Allah tell us to fear Hell. Aren't we supposed to fear Allah only? Is fearing Hell (or the fear of not going to Paradise) somewhat similar to fearing Allah? However, on the flip side, why would somebody fear Allah if he doesn't fear Allah's punishment! I am getting very confused and uneasy over this apparent contradiction.

• Also, as far as I know, Allah could also punish a person in this world, for example by causing somebody else to beat that person up. Does that mean we should also fear other people since Allah could inflict punishment on us through them?

I would really appreciate if you could give me detailed explanations regarding the above questions.

Q: Why did Allah Ta'ala use a Female Noun (Isim mu'annas) to refer to Adam (Alayhis Salaam) in the following verse (7:189);  "Huwa allathee khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin wajaAAala minha zawjaha (It is He Who has created you from a single person, and (then) He has created from him his wife). why Allah used the word 'nafsin wahidah' , "minha" and "zaujaha" to refer to Adam.

Q: I heard that Surah Faatiha is not part of quran. Please clarify is Surah Faatiha Allah's kalam? Please explain in a simple way so that I should not become mislead. I am really worried about this question, I do not want to lose Imaan.

Q: I am writing you today to discuss a very pertinent issue that relates to the matter of collecting jizya. I was reading a book of Robert Spencer titled Truth About Muhammad: Founder of world’s most intolerant faith his accusations on expulsion of Arab pagans from Arabian peninsula and collection of jizya from non Muslims.

Mr. Spencer accuses that there are only specific non Muslim communities like Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and Magians that are to be extended the privilege of Jizya payment, in return for protection in Muslim lands. While other group of non Muslims like atheists, agnostics and idol worshippers are to choose between death or conversion. Mr. Spencer bases his assertion while referring to Quran 9:29 where reference for payment of Jizya is only made for people of the book.

My question to you is can non Muslim groups like Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, etc can be asked to pay Jizya in return for protection in Muslim lands like Jews, Christians and Zorastrians?

If the answer is yes what explanation can you provide to Mr. Spencer’s accusation when he rightly pointed out that Quran 9:29 only offers jizya privilege for people of the book. Moreover the only other historical reference in Hadith for other non Muslim groups mentions just Magians and Zoroastrians to my knowledge, furthermore there is no historical reference for idolaters and atheists even though they flourished in Arabia peacefully before Islam gained sovereignty in that region.

Q: In the kitaab Tajweed for beginners, by Darul Uloom Azaadville, it is mentioned that to pull a Madd Asli for more than 1 Alif or less than 1 alif is haraam. Is this the Fiqhi Hukm?

If the Laam Of Allah in Tasmiyyah is pulled slightly more than 1 alif or the Ain in the first ayat of Surah Fatiha as is common nowadays, would the reciter be committing a major sin & be guily of committing a haraam act?

No doubt one should'nt read in this way but i dont think anyone would be doing this intentionally. nevertheless, does it mean it is haraam?

In the same kitaab, it is mentioned that Ghunnah Ikhfaa etc is mustahab & the omitting of it it Makrooh. Does this now mean that someone who is in the habit of always leaving it out, be committing a haraam act? (as is the case of other Makrooh acts?).

Q: Is it correct that on the 15th night of Shabaan a new book of deeds commences and the books of the previous year close and are presented to Allah?

Q: A Gair Muqallid told me that Taqleed is shirk. I asked him the reason for Taqleed being shirk. He told me that the Muqallids follow their Imam even if the Imam's view conflicts with Qur'an & Hadith. So Muqallids are Mushriq. Is the statement about Muqallids being mushrik given by him correct? Can you tell me some authentic reference to tell him that Taqleed is not shirk and give me some online sources links where I could gain knowledge about the topics of Taqleed, following only one imam etc?

Q:

1. What is the correct time for reading Surah Sajdah, Surah Mulk, Surah Waqiah? After Maghrib or After Esha or anytime?
2. Should it be read in any sequence?
3. What is the rewards for reciting each of them?

Q: Is it permissible to sell ebooks?

Q: I would like to know if the use of webcam is permissible like in video chat? Does it fall under the hukum of images? What if you just use the webcam not for video chatting but as a mirror, like quickly check your hair or your face (similar to a mirror) would that be permissible or not?