Aqaaid

Q: Should a person first read the Seerah of Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم or the biographies of our (Indian) Akaabireen or vice versa?

Q: What does it mean to compete in Deen and how can you do it with the right intention?

Q: Is it permissible to read Harry Potter books?

Q: Can I read books written by non-Muslims or books about non-Muslims?

Q: I am 22 years old. From my childhood until this moment, my father could not get a house. My parents get up for tahajjud and make prayers etc. But we are not getting an answer for a house. What would be the reason?

My father had told me long before that it is because of my birth that they could not achieve anything. Could that be the reason?

I have often noticed that I am a person who gets punished on the spot for doing wrong, is it because Allah doesn't like me?

It is said that Allah shows good dreams and Shaythan shows bad dreams. I my 22 years and I haven't ever seen a good dream, rather I have seen many weird and filthy dreams that is even nauseating to talk about. Is it because Allah doesn't love me?

How do I know if Allah likes me. I have committed a sin to my parents, i.e. I thought they were doing wrong and made them cry. I felt that they were wrong but it was only because I couldn't understand them. Is there any way that I can repent?

Q: Who are angels Fitrus and Dardaeel? 

Q: Does backbiting mean its shirk and after judgement we cannot go to paradise even after Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)'s intercession?

If I backbited and do not go to the person because of feeling shy, how can I tell this person? Can we do tauba so that Allah knows that we tried our best not to backbite? Can this be forgiven?.

Q: I have a fabric cover on my Quraan for many years. It has become threadbare in some places. I want to change it. Can I add this old cover to my fabric scraps?

Also, as a child my mum had covered my Quraan first with paper and plastic wrap. When I remove it can I throw it away? I am confused as I don't wish to be disrespectful.

Q: I learnt in Islam that it is very bad to reveal one's personal secrets to others, but is there any danger in teaching my Muslim brother something new I learnt about Deen like how to perform ghusl?