Mandatory travel insurance on Hajj and Umrah packages

Q: Please can you advise on the verdict regarding travel insurance. We understand all forms of insurance are not permissible, however I did notice that on the Hajj and Umrah packages there is mandatory travel insurance. Please can you advise what is to be done in this situation?

On the same subject, is it permissible to hire a car? There is also an insurance clause in the fine print of the agreement that needs to be signed before hiring.

If there are alternatives to the above that Ulama and others use when going for hajj/umrah please also let me know what these are.

Selling a share in a property at a higher price

Q: I had 2 clients, client A, who wished to buy a property. The client had an agreement with the seller to purchase a property being sold for R900 000. Client A wanted to get bank finance for the shortfall on the purchase price. We advised against it. We spoke to client B, who had R100 000 to invest. We brought both the parties together. Client B agreed to buy 1/9 of the property. Within a month client B agreed to sell his share at R120 000, an agreed of repayment was made and met.

Is the transaction a valid shariah agreement.

Woman feeling that her colleague at work is jealous of her

Q: I have a friend at work who is friends with another colleague that is extremely jealous of me and is always putting nazr on me, I've read duas for protection especially when around that person but found it best to also stay away. I tried speaking to my friend and she feels as a Muslim she cannot abandon another Muslim even if they are not good company and she likes being around that person because of the things that person spoils my friend with.

Is it wrong Islamically for me to disassociate myself from my friend because of this?

Talking to Allah Ta'ala

Q:

1. Is it a sin and a spiritual disease to talk to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) all the time verbally or in heart? Does it count as talking too much? And can one talk to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) about things that are not related to Deen, like when someone see a bird or an animal or something permissible to see, they say to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa), "What a beautiful bird You have made."

2. How casually can one speak to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa)? I have had very little friends and I don't talk a lot with my parents nowadays. But, I speak casually to Allah (SubhaanHu Wa Ta'alaa) like He is a friend. I don't speak with disregard for His station, that is He is our Master. I also see Him like a child sees a parent, like a caretaker. Is it permissible to speak casually? I'll feel depressed if I can't.

End of the year khatams and jalsahs

Q: This time of the year sees many people completing Hifz and other courses. People are holding functions (jalsahs) at halls and other venues inviting family and friends. Often the number of people invited are over 200 and 300 people. 5 course meals are served and alot of expense is incurred in feeding people as well as decor and gifts. The men and women are often separated. Is there any Islamic/Sunnah practice regarding holding such events?

Also, is it permissable to attend such functions and accept the invitation?