Aqaaid

Q: Insha Allah, I will soon be submitting a final report for my studies. The document contains an 'Acknowledgements' page, which I would like to begin with the complete English translation of: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم. However, I am afraid of disrespecting the name of Allah, as I am not sure how the document will be handled. Would it be best not to print Bismillah, or will it be permissible to instead print 'In the name of the Almighty', or something similar? Please could Mufti Saab advise on what/what not to print.

Q: What do you think of Dr Zakir Naik? Can we listen to his lectures?

Q: What reply should be given to Hindus when they they ask me that idol worshipping is haram, why do Muslims bow down in front of the ka'ba? It is also a stone thing like and idol.

Q: Can I read the following Kitaabs?

(1) "As-Suyuti's Medicine of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)." Translated by Dr Cyril Elgood.

(2) "Medicine of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)." By Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya. Translated by Penelope Johnstone.

(3) "Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)." By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al Jauziyyah. Published by Darussalam Publications.

In (1) and (2) the translators are non-Muslims, and in (3) 'Darussalam Publications' are known to be openly Salafi and have been accused of tampering with many kitaabs, even Riyad as-Salihin.

(4) In general, can we read Deeni kitaabs, like those above, translated by non-Muslims?

(5) Similarly, the same with deviant publishers like Darussalam Publications.

Q: Is celebrating Shab-e-Baraat a Bidah? Some people offer special night prayer (Salaah) and do fateha. What are the Islamic rulings regarding this?

Q: Are Barelwis Kaafirs?

Q: When his Lord manifested His illumination to the mountain, he sent it crashing down to pieces, and Moosa fell unconscious (Quran 7: 143). One of our fundamental beliefs as Sunni Muslims is that there is nothing like Allah,  (لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ). So with that in mind, does the illumination/light of Allah referred to in this ayat actually refer to a veil of illumination/light? Please clarify this.

Q: I have committed zina twice. I repented once after the first time and made the mistake a second time. I'm not sure if my repentance will be accepted by Allah Ta'ala. After I committed the crimes I became a Shia Muslim. Have I taken the wrong path? I really need help.

Q: Celebrating pahela boishak the first day of Bangla year is halaal or not?

Q: I have a personal training book that I have to study to become a personal trainer. There is however pictures in the book with females in it showing how to do certain workouts. How should I go about this situation?