Aqaaid

Q:

1. Some say that actually saying the shahaadah is not required to be considered a Muslim and rather just to actually believe in your heart while others say that you have to actually say the shahaadah, which is correct?

2. Why does the Hanafi madhab believe that despite not praying, as long as they believe in the shahaadah's message, people can still be considered Muslim and eventually enter paradise. If it is said that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)'s uncle believed that his nephew was not lying and telling the truth yet will enter hell? Is it because he refused to say the shahaadah, regardless of whats in his heart?

Q: Just like we can't place our feet above the Quran Kareem, does the same apply to Deeni books such as hadeeth and tafseer?

Q: Can one ask for forgiveness from another human on the day of Mahshar if he could not do it in his life time in this world? 

Q: If someone follows the opinion that celebrating birthdays is halaal as long as they are not extravagant and as long as they don't include something haraam, then if that person says happy birthday to non-Muslims who are celebrating it, are they still Muslim?

Because I've heard from people that if a Muslim participates in a kaafirs events then they have committed kufr (atleats that is what I understood) but what if that person thinks its ok to celebrate birthdays?

Q: I follow Islam out of fear of hell and of Allah's wrath, not out of love for Him or a desire for paradise and I don't like Allah. For me he is something cruel entity but powerful because he is a creator or God. I always think he will be going to harm me and not going to benefit me and He never benefited me, as I said I follow Islam because of fear. I don't want His hell or paradise both, can I make dua for Allah to save me from his hell as well as his heaven?

Q: I am contacting you to seek help.

A friend of mine is losing her imaan, she has been through a lot of hardship in her life and is losing hope. There are some questions she has that I am unqualified to answer so I thought you could answer them for me.

The questions she has are "Why has Allah allowed suffering to the innocent?" "Why did Allah not put us in Jannah in the first place instead of sending us to the Dunya?" "Allah says He loves us more that 70 mothers could, but He allows us to suffer even though we call on Him for help and relief, what can explain that?" "It is said that no one will enter Jannah without imaan, then what about the people who have never heard of Islam?"

Please assist me in bringing her back on the right path. I will be ever grateful. 

Q: I'm feeling very confused because of not asking questions. The main question is about the fact that Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) has full control over everything, even good deeds and bad deeds, so how do we enter Jannah and Jahannam since He has control already and decides who is guided and who isn't and we make duaa to Him not to misguide us.

We thank Him for guiding us and protecting us from sins so it means that He has full control. When Abu Talib was about to pass away, Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) said that He guides whom He wills.

I have seen how He changes hearts. If I commit a sin, my parents and other family members become harsh or emotionally hurt me and if I say Tawbah, they become changed. In a Hadith, we are told that our Lord's anger and pleasure are shown in parents. Is this possible that He is punishing me through my parents or rewarding me for reaching a higher part of Jannah? What opinion should I have of Him?

Please answer both of these doubts. 

Q: What is the ruling on using balloons at jalsas and eid day, etc?

Q: What is the status of Muslim schools and madrasahs for kids celebrating Spring Day (the 1st day of spring) by making kids bring flowers or planting flowers, eating ice cream, etc. Thereafter giving it an Islamic theme like seeing the greatness of Allah in spring, etc. However doing it on this same day i.e. first day of spring. Is this allowed in or is it tashabbuh bil kuffar? 

Q: A person told me that ilham and kashf are fake as in Sahih Al-Bukhari 6990 the prophet states nothing is left of prophethood except dreams. Please refute this.