Q: I got married in 1995. In 1998, my husband said on the phone "If you don't come by tonight's flight we will not be able to stay together, but as flights were not available I could only reach the next day. My husband did not intend to divorce me.

1. Is it counted as one divorce?

In 2002 we had to sign a court paper in America of divorce due to some official issues but we asked a clergy if this will be counted as divorce and he said no. After making sure that it does not affect our relationship we signed the papers, and stayed afterwards together as husband and wife.

2. Is it counted as talak?

In 2003, after a fight with my husband, he sent me mail saying that he does not want to continue the relationship but he did not use the term talak, but he intended to give talak. We are staying seperately after that but we spoke to each other atleast once or twice in a year as some mufti told me that I am not divorce and to keep the relationship I should be talking to him. After that I consulted many muftis to know if our relationship existed but some said that it existed while others said that it did not.

Please confirm as we want to stay together now after a lot of hardships for many years. We are trying to stay together but because of this being not clear we are not able to continue our relationship. 

Q: A married man has done a mistake by having intercourse with another girl one time. He is feeling very ashamed of himself after that and is making taubah to Allah all the time. Will he be forgiven by Allah and what should he do to feel at ease? 

Q: I made intention to perform umrah this year if I passed a certain exam. I passed the exam. However I have a few financial constraints right now. Can I perform umrah next year or do I have to perform it this year?

Q: I work in a hospital. The hand rub we use contains alcohol (ethanol) mixed with glycerine. Some drops fell on my clothes and dried. Can I pray with that clothes?

Q: Can we wear fancy clothes according to Islam? Fancy clothes as in long maxy dresses which are loose, the sleeves are full and the legs are not visible. My father says that it’s not allowed in Islam and causes gunah just because it’s a bit fancy. No body part is visible except for the face, yet he calls all my dresses inappropriate. Can we not wear fancy clothes on weddings? 

Q: If a person commits suicide, does the person go straight to hell?

Q: If a person sniffs cocaine or smokes weed, does the persons prayers, fasting and good deeds not count for 40 days, even though it is out of the persons system?

Q:

1. Often, when tenants vacate the premises, they leave items behind. Is the landlord entitled to sell these items and keep the money?

2. In the event of a tenant absconding while owing the landlord rentals and other ancillary charges, can the landlord sell these items to recover his money? Is it necessary for him to inform the tenant?

Q: Can a male become a gynaecologist?

Q: My mother passed away and left a shariah will. I am one of the executors listed in her will. Since none if us have any experience on how to wind up an estate, please would you be able to provide a step by step guide as to what must be done in respect of an Islamic Will as well as the South African Law. We are hoping to do most of the work ourselves to keep legal costs low in sha Allah.

NB: We have her death certificate and will.