Aqaaid

Q: What is the ruling regarding birthdays? Our muslims greet one another on this day and feel insulted if one does not greet them. Another issue is regarding birthday cakes, gifts and parties. Please advise.

Q: A friend of mine who was born in Pakistan had migrated to Indonesia. He has no intention of going back to Pakistan. Now, he has a family in Indonesia. He is asking is it right that he changed his mazhab because he don't want to be the only one different in his own house and the community. His wife is also a local there and his children are sent to the local madresa.

Q: I'm a youth and there's just something that's been bugging me for a while: Sometimes when you go out then you hear people saying that nowadays a lot of the Ulama only want to know you if you are wealthy or if you pious i.e. the ordinary person is overlooked ( I know this is not true for every Moulana and there are many Ulama who are not like this). This has happened to quite a few people who I know where a well known Aalim will greet selective people. This kind of attitude puts a young person in a position where they feel a bit despondent. I was just wondering if you could advice me on this.

Q: If a believer commits an act of kufr which renders him a murtad thereafter he repents, will that repentance be accepted or not? E.g. Someone spoke bad of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) so he became a murtad thereafter he repented, will that particular sin of kufr be forgiven or not?

Q: Do the Shias really say that our Qur'an is altered? If so, do they still remain as Muslims? 

Q: If our taqdeer is written, then why are we punised for the sins we commit?

Q: What is the ruling with regards to Easter celebrations, Easter eggs, hot cross buns, etc.?

Q: What is the shari'ee status of meelaad and salami as is practised today?

Q: Is it permissible to tell someone "happy birthday"? I know its not a day to celebrate, nor do we do so but people feel appreciated / acknowledged that at least he remembered my birthday. Sometimes, some people take offense if you "forget" to tell them?

Q: A scholar who gives a legal opinion is rewarded for it, two rewards for the one who is correct and one reward for the one who erred. Therefore we say that all imaams are on the right path and can be followed. So why can't we follow these salafi ulama?