Q: Clarification on zikr, self hypnosis in regard to some sufi practices.

1. Are self-hypnosis techniques like whirling dervishes common during the Rumi era, haraam? Are their practices considered a bid'ah?

2. Likewise many groups hold zikr sessions which last a long time. It includes chanting, is this considered a bid'ah?

3. Many buzurgs get buried with a small part of the kiswa fabric. Is this considered a bid'ah? Is calling any of these practices openly a bid'ah, haraam?

Q: One of my colleagues converted to Islam but she is married to a Christian, and her husband did not agree to convert. So since her husband did not agree to convert, after how many months is she able to get married again to a Muslim man?

Q: If a person is under employment (working for someone) and fuel allowance is also included in the contract (given in cash), however, if a month/week comes wherein the employee has enough fuel in the vehicle and therefore, for that particular month/week, he feels that he doesn’t need the fuel, should he still accept the cash or not, because it is in the contract? 

Q: If a person works for some years and every year, he has to discharge zakaat for example in Dhul-Hijjah. (basically his zakaat year ends in that month and discharges zakaat then). After some years, he opens up his own business from the savings he has accumulated. Thereafter, when should he now pay out any zakaat due on him? Should such a person continue discharging zakaat in Dhul-Hijjah, or he has to take a new date because of the business? 

Q: Is it a must/obligatory to keep contact with distant relatives (parents cousins)? If a person does not wish to keep contact with distant relatives but the parents force him to do so, then what should he do? If a person doesn’t wish to keep any contact, will he be sinful? 

Q: What is the status of the kuffaar and the money they earn from riba? Is it halaal for them? Can we accept money for goods sold from this? 

Q: I was reading witr salaah and sat in tashahhud for the third rakaat. After reciting the tashahhud, I went into the fourth rakaat by mistake. On completing the fourth rakaat, I made salaam and sajdah sahw. Is my witr valid? Also, what is the ruling in the case where I forgot to sit in the third rakaat for tashahhud?

Q: What's the ruling on making New Year greetings on social media when one is working as a graphic designer or content writer for a company?

Q: Is surrogacy allowed in Islam? Can an individual use his sperm and another lady's egg to be fertilised after which she will carry the baby on behalf of his wife?

In the case where it is your sperm and your wife's egg, can another woman be the surrogate mother? I would like to know the permissibility and the reason for permissibility if there is. Can the womb be used as a rental space to carry a child? Is it like being a milk mother? If the woman carrying the child for someone else is married, what will be the status of nikaah? Can the surrogate child be your mahram?

In 1975, the television was regarded as not permissible, and also certain gelatine were also referred to as not permissible, and today our fatwas have changed regarding many matters.

What is your view on surrogacy, as it is not a sperm entering another woman, but an embryo that is a totally different form? 

Q: Certain phones have ringtones which have a tune.

1. Is this considered as music and hence haram? Some are a basic tune e.g. the Nokia tune, the Samsung whistle tune.

2. If the phone is very basic and does not have any other options for ringtone apart from the musical tone, what should one do?