Q: I write to seek truth and guidance. Eight years ago at the age of 18, I met a 25 year old Muslim man and we entered into a serious relationship. Three months later I converted to Islam. We continued the relationship still, including zina. When we thought about marriage, both first marriages, we met with a sheikh to discuss an Islamic marriage, where he advised us to stay away from each other and to seek forgiveness and repentance before entering marriage. Unfortunately we did not comply, continuing sins even days before we preformed an Islamic marriage contract. Neither he nor I repented, separated, or observed a waiting period to see if pregnancy was apparent before the contract was made. Also, as a convert, I did not have a Wali when we did the marriage contract, and the actual contract states "herself", as I was my own Wali. Now we have been together since and just gave birth to our second son. I am asking to know if our marriage is valid or invalid (batil), and also the status of our two children if they are legitimate or not and can inherit from their father according to Islam. Also where do I stand from his family, including his brothers and his father, if they are or ever were relatives of mine if the marriage never existed or is invalid and are they related to our two children in any way if invalid. Please advise.

Q: My question is regarding a fight between relatives. My two aunts and my mother had a fight in 2013 on some issue and after that they stop contact and are not talking to each other. Since then my father was not available when this fight happened he is sad from what his sisters did because my mom was not at fault. After the fight my father tried to contact them but they didn't answered his call and after one week we came back to KSA after few months my aunt called my father but my father was angry so he scolded her and after that time till now they have no contact. In between this time my parents tried to fix this problem again but it didn't happen. Now my parents want them to contact and say sorry only then they will forgive them but my aunts are not agreeing on this. They think they are right. My father is really sad and one aunt is my mother in-law. I want to ask that according to the Islamic point of view what should I do to bring them together and end this situation?

Q: My husband has some mustabah money which he earned from his job. My question is can I use that money as a loan from my husband without him knowing? I will give him back. Actually I am need of money but I cannot ask my husband because he is a very calculative man and I am sure he will never give me.

Q: My mother and father have been divorced for more than 40 years. My mother has remarried and divorced about 8 years ago. My father has also remarried and is going for Hajj with my step mother. My sister and I disagree on my mother going to greet my father in and also attending family lunches. Is it permissible for my mother to be present for family lunches with my father in our presence and is she allowed to go see him and his wife off at the airport?

Q: I want to ask that is there any difference between the Deobandis of sub continent (India, Pakistan) and South Africa? Is there any difference between the deobndis of Sub Continent and America, England and other parts of the world?

Q: Is there any difference between the Deobandis and Hanafis? Please tell me if there is any. What do hanafis think about deobandis that whether deobandis are right or wrong?

Q: Me and my family try to live according to the sharia and fulfill all the rulings of deen to some extent alhamdulillah. I have a twenty years old daughter who is quite pretty, obedient and well behaved alhamdulillah. Within the past two years a great number of proposals came for her. Women from different families come to see my daughter but afterwards neither they return nor they come in contact by any means. Some families show their interest clearly to me but never come. I am continually reciting the ayat what you suggest to everyone regarding getting good proposals after every salah and make dua. My daughter does the same too. One mufti sahib suggested to recite ayat no.62 of surah namal 14000 times every Wednesday till three Wednesdays in order to get rid of any obstacle. I did this too. I recite surah rehman thrice daily for this cause. I am too much worried mufti sahib. Please help with the suggestion in this matter. I would be obliged if you will reply sooner.

Q: To which persons are we allowed to give zakaat to. How much money does the person need to have so that he is able to accept zakaat?

Q: What is the difference between Sadqah and Lillah?

Q: I have loaned some money to a relative and wanted to know while paying zakaat, do I have to include the loaned amount or only when I receive it?