Aqaaid

Carrying out a sunnah action without making the intention

Q: An act that's sunnah. When one started it, it was done with the niyyah of sunnah. After years you become accustomed to it, it becomes a habit like dusting the bed or reading certain duaas or eating with the right hand, etc. Will you still get the thawaab of practicing a sunnnah or will the niyyah be have to made every time you do an action? Some aalima said that one won't get rewarded without the intention.

Accepting literature of different religions

Q: I live in the west, and every now and then, some Christian or Jew knocks on the door to give out pamphlets that promote their religion or an event related to their religion. I normally refuse the pamphlet but sometimes they put it in my hand, in which case I say ok and throw it out after I close the door. The people who give this stuff to me know I am a Muslim as I wear the niqab. Does my taking the pamphlet constitute kufr? Am I obliged to refute their religion to them right then and there at the door? If I don't, is that kufr?

Birthday parties

Q: What do we do if my brother in law invited us for his wife's birthday. We already told them that we do not celebrate birthdays. His wife even asked us for a birthday gift. We asked if we could just do dinner and not call it a birthday party. I told my husband that I'm not going, so he said that I am being more bad to them. So what do you advise?