Salaah

Q: If a person is praying at home on a clean floor, should he still spread out a prayer mat to pray on, or would this be unnecessary since the floor is clean? What would be the best for him to do in this situation?

Q: I did istikhara for three consecutive days but I am unable to determine what is the outcome of this. I didnt experience any dream at all and neither do I feel my heart inclined to a particular outcome or decision. How to judge what is Allah's suggestion in such a situation? Should I ask someone else to do istekhara for me and believe in the outcome and do accordingly? I did istekhara to seek Allah's suggestion for a marriage proposal.

Q: Due to age, a person cannot remember how many rakaats he prays. There is no one that can remain at his side and guide him throughout his Salaah by guiding him through the postures of Salaah and informing him of what to do. What should he do?

Q: Can a husband lead his wife in namaz (congregation). If yes, what is procedure to do so?

Q: Please can you advise if it is permissible for a Hanafi to read the Asr namaz alone when the time for Asr (shaafi'ee) has set in. The reason is that this person only reaches home 5-10 minutes before Maghrib due to his work and car pool commitments and does not want to miss his Asr namaaz.

Q: We carried out an istikhara for my son almost a year ago for a college girl he was interested in. The Aalim said no. My son got very disturbed and heard from someone that istikhara can be repeated after some time. During this year almost, he prayed five times and performed umrah with the family and did istikhara himself and saw himself offering prayer. He says he is satisfied and the answer is yes from Almighty Allah. He only resolves around any option confirming his yes but we the parents still wish to seek guidance. We want some responsible authority to say ok before we take decision. Please help us!!

Q: What is the significance of having a forehead mark from salaah? Why people don't have it even after praying for years? Some people have this mark only after a few weeks of praying. Is this some sign that the prayers are thrown back on the? People are telling it's a sign of hypocrisy? Is it true?

Q: We were traveling in a hurry and I missed Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib then I made it home after Isha and before I prayed Isha, I prayed the fard prayers starting from Zuhr all the way to Isha. Is that permissible?

Q: My question is that when women cover their body's while praying, should they cover their feet as well while praying or not? I heard in a talk that they should wear socks while praying.

Q: What time does Zohar Salaah become Qadha. Does Zohar end at the time Asr starts? I see that the Shafi time for Asr is 15:15 and for Hanafi it is 16:03. I do understand the the shadow of an object needs to be twice the original size plus the bit that was there at midday. I am asking in regards to the times for the Salaah. This is the time in Durban.