It is my greatest desire to follow the Shariah

Q: Nowadays I am worried due to several reasons. Among others, one reason is that it is my greatest desire to follow the Shariah, including keeping a fist length beard and attending congregational prayers.However, as you know that especially in regards to the beard, most people are mocked and opposed by family, friends etc. Also I want that my family members follow Shariah more completely, though Alhamdulillah they are quite practicing Muslims already but dont have enough knowledge of fiqh. Mufti sahib, I want you to advise me some zikr, wazeefa etc, but which is not very lengthy  so Allah relieves me of worries and tension and gives me tawfiq in adhering to Shariah and acheiving my wordly goals also.

Marital Problem

Q: A friend of ours daughter got married exactly a year ago to date ,three weeks ago we learned that the daughter landed in hospital with serious injuries, it came to light that her husband was beating her up from day one and never told a soul not even her own parents. She was released from hospital a week ago and went to stay with an uncle of the family, the husband telephoned his battered wife at her uncles house informing her that his family is in their flat search through their clothes. A couple a days ago the girls parents received some of her stuff via freight services and a letter attached to the goods stating that their son has given the girl a talaq. It is believed that the boys family is rich and they took all the best stuff belonging to the girl for them, they threaten that the girl no longer has any right to see or talk to the so call ex husband, the young lady several times called her husband on his mobile and at his work place. Everybody seems to play with saying that no such person works there. The husband did not issue any talaq but the boys parents did and they are all so called pious persons with long white beards,white thobs on. The girls mother is devastated and the young wife wants to be with her husband, it was brought to our attention that the boys mother had another girl in mind and was not happy with her sons choice. Can this really be Muslims doing such evil things? What can this young wife do please advise urgently?​

Insulting people

Q: We find many people broadcasting jokes about Julius Malema, Jacob Zuma, Barrack Obama, Blonde Jokes, Indian Jokes, etc. What is the status of these jokes in Shariah? If an article has been prepared on this topic I will indeed forward it to all my contacts Insha Allah.

Investing in a running business

Q: 

1. Zaid invested R300 000 in Khalid’s small business called “Quality Peanuts.” Zaid started working with Khalid and Zaid made a great effort to make the business a complete success. Zaid invented a new name and look for the product and called it “Super Peanuts” and did a lot of marketing which picked up the business to a great extent, after which the profits went on a major increase. Zaid told Khalid that he wants R3000 every month as a salary together with receiving his share of profits (if there did happen to be anything over and above R3000). Is this permissible?

2. The money which Zaid invested with Khalid was lent to Zaid by Ahmad. Now, when Ahmad saw how much money Zaid was making, Ahmad made a plan. Ahmad told Zaid that he wanted all his money back, so Zaid told Khalid that he wants his money back and that he was leaving the business. A deal was arranged where Khalid would pay Ahmad out slowly and Zaid left the business. Many months later, Zaid found out from different reliable sources that Ahmad told Khalid, “Don’t worry, it was just a plan. I am now taking Zaid’s place in this business. Keep the R300 000 and give me the profits every month.” For many months thereafter, Khalid collected the profits. To whom does the profit of all these months belong, Khalid or Zaid?

3. Zaid made it clear from the start and everyone agreed that “Super Peanuts” is his brand name and he owns it. Now, they are continuing to use his brand name and are denying that it is his brand name. Is this permissible?