Aqaaid

Q: My native language is Chinese. Chinese language itself contains many daily used common words and phrases that can be classified as containing shirk. Of course, the majority of Chinese speakers never know what shirk is. For example, the Chinese word for “mind, thought, attitude”, which is a commonly used word, literally means “spirit/god” in Chinese. It derives from their kufr belief that humans can become fake so called gods or spirits. I tried very hard to bypass these words, even though they are common, when talking with my mom and other Chinese speakers. However, since the language’s vocabulary system contains many shirk words, a lot of times there is only one word choice, otherwise you cannot express the meaning precisely, or not at all close.

I was talking with my mom and used the phrase that translates into “heavenly (the heaven in Chinese religion) flower falling down” (which means someone is bragging). I know you cannot understand how Chinese works, but it employs a lot of euphemisms and metaphors so the literal meaning maps to a derived meaning. I was talking and it is hard to go against your native language when I was in emotions (it is instinctive; unless I deliberately find a substitute of the word, which may or may not happen as it needs deliberately doing it). Is that kufr (disbelief) to use these words and phrases? But as you can see, a lot of times it is hard or impossible to avoid as the language itself contains these words that has shirk (imagine that english word for “brain”, or “eating a lot” are phrases that contain shirk, how do you speak it?

Q: How can we perform a istikhara to see with whom Allah Ta'ala has written your name? Who'll be my spouse I desperately want to know for some issues in our family relationships. 

Q: I downloaded a game and it asks a player to sacrifice some food as a sacrifice and to pray and to emmulate, etc as part of game. Is it ok to do so? Or should I uninstall the game?

Q: I'm a revert Muslim, my family is Christian. How do I convince them that Jesus (pbuh) is not the son of God nor is He God. This is the firm believe of Christianity. 

Q: I feel that it is quite easy to commit kufr if not being careful. I was debating a brother about birth control. I say that the Muslims should have as many children as possible to enlarge and strengthen the ummah. He said that quality is better than quantity and having less kids means each kid gets better resources. He then gave an example that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions were able to defeat larger enemies. Here came the main point: I argued that “it was not because that Umar or Abu Bakr were smarter than Abu Jahl and other kaffirs in raw intelligence, but because Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) favored the Muslims against their enemies”. Basically I was saying that the “Sahaba were not smarter than the kaffirs in raw intelligence” but they won because they had the favor of Allah (Subahanhu wa Ta’ala). Is it kufr to say that “Sahaba were not smarter than the kaffirs in raw intelligence”? 

Q: Are naats allowed? Is meelad justified? If meelad is allowed then under what circumstances?

Q:

1. Among fasting, Salah, Zakat and Haj, which pillar is most important in order? 

2. What if someone does fasting or Haj and don't offer salah during fasting and Haj. Will his fast and Haj be accepted?

3. Are they independent of each other or dependent on one another?

Q: Someone sent me a link and said that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) celebrated his birthday because of what is stated in the link. Could you please calrify and tell us a way to explain to them why we cant celebrate Rabi ul awwal?

Did Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) fast on Mondays due to the fact that he (sallalallhu alaihi wasallam) was born on a Monday?

Q: How do you explain to someone that certain things in Islam should not be questioned because he says that things don't make sense to him and certain Ulama are not helpful with questions that he has, although he won't say exactly what these questions are.

Q: Is it permissible to use bags which have pictures of idols printed on them?