Acquiring Deeni Knowledge

Q: I am a common Hanafi layperson and I follow the Hanafi madhhab. I would like to study the book Nur al-Idah by reading it myself. 

Am I permitted to read and study Nur al-Idah as a layperson and follow the rulings mentioned in it, even though I am not a scholar or student of advanced Islamic studies? 

If it is permissible, are there any precautions I should take while studying it, such as relying on a teacher or commentary to understand difficult or technical matters?

Q: The boys in madrasah were discussing, is it correct to leave out doing a sunnah because you are doing something which will help the deen? Example, like leaving out going to the graveyard for burial because you are studying or teaching.

Q: Is there a specific way, method or structure to seek knowledge? I have heard that there is a ‘manhaj’ for seeking knowledge but do not know if this is correct.

Q: A very concerning matter facing us here in the UK and I believe in many countries. The matter is that some ladies have opened a door of going around place to place to give bayaans. They become speakers and attend as well as put together conferences where they attract audiences based on their skills in language and the ability to deliver an entertaining talk. 

Some of them podcast on social media for everyone to listen to. Men have full access to listen to them live or to the saved video recordings. Some of them do so in niqaab and some without. 

This oratory by these women has become very appealing to young girls who see this as a goal to achieve in their spiritual growth. 

These women openly encourage other ladies to do the same and as a result there are teams of such ladies going around almost like shaikh and mureeds. They attract big followings and people are being misled to believe that the sahabiyaat use to also lecture and advise men in the matters of deen. 

They lure young girls with the snare of online quran classes and then lead them to the same desire to be lecturers and hold their own conferences. This has also become a business in the name of deeni efforts. This looks very attractive to modern muslim families that their wives and daughters are getting some kind of exposure to deeni knowledge and it is also very convenient in keeping them busy and as it is said rather keep them off the streets. 

Women and girls are also attracted through emotional activities of social and welfare work. In most cases the harms are not immediately apparent. 

Should innocent families be warned about this? To what extent should women be allowed to have these kind of lecture conferences? How should people be made aware ? Will appreciate your guidance on this matter

Q: What is the ruling on a person of the Hanafi Maslak taking knowledge or rulings from people such as 'Sheik Assim Al-Hakeem' who is a Salafi?

Q: Someone told me to inquire about the incident mentioned in Fazail-e-Durood (story#46) and also ask for its detailed explanation. 

Can anyone see Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in a wakeful state? 

Is it okay to put your hand on a deceased woman's stomach? If not, then did it happen in reality, or was it a spiritual state or was it a dream? 

Are there any other such incidents where Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) met someone in a wakeful state and solved their problem? Is this incident correct from the point of view of authenticity and can it be narrated to others during taleem hadith session in the mosque?

Q: I have been coming back to Islam since Ramadan alhamdulillah. Before Ramadan I practiced Western version of Sunni Islam by dress and behavior. Since then I'm feeling pull towards salafi methodology. 

I've begun being mentored by a kind salafi woman MashaAllah. 

She says a woman should cover with niqab and gloves any time her husband is not home, even if she's not being seen by non mahram. She said it's an act of worship and a way to show and ask Allah Ta'ala for extra protection while my husband (protector) is not home. 

Is there Islamic basis for this, is this from culture, or from her specifically? 

Q: Recently I've seen alot of people talk about Umar Suleman and attend his talks and I've seen alot of people say that to say his part of the ulema is wrong. What is the correct way to go about this? Is he someone that can be trusted for deeni advice?