Woman working from home due to constraints

Q: My husband works in his father’s business. His father deals in interest and sells haraam. My husband knows it is haraam but is not interested in getting another job.

Also, my husband has almost hit me. I really want to be financially independent from him. I don’t know where we will be financially in a few years’ time. I do have enough savings to study something and go out and work. Should I do this?

I have considered starting a home business, but I don’t know what kind of home business will succeed and generate income. I don’t know what to sell or where to start from.

Age gap in marriage

Q: I pray you are well. I wanted to ask a question about my situation. I have a proposal for marriage from a man I like and respect. My family met him and liked him and his deen and character. However, after they found out his age at the 2nd meeting they refused without asking me and saying they decided its best. He is 14 years older than me but in good health and looks masha'allah that it is not apparent and we probably look about 8 years difference. I am 24 and he 38. Also he is pakistani and I am indian which my family were initially ok with but then changed when they found out his mother cannot speak english and mines urdu is broken. His family were concerned about the age gap to start with but have said if we are both happy and I am mature and understand what marriage entails they are happy. I want to meet the family again because I like them and can see myself amongst that family despite the differences even tho my family feel I will not be happy and that I will struggle as I will have to do everything because of the age gap and have a hard life. Can my family refuse due to age and ethnicity when they were happy with his character, personality and deen. Are they right in saying i will have a hard life because he is older and so I will have to take care of any kids we have and him in his old age as they are saying he will look like my father and a kids grandad soon and have health issues. But I do like him and we are similar in terms of personality and character and i know if he was even a few years younger I would say yes and theage gap only came to my mimd after my family started saying things because I was ready to accept because I feel he as a person is perfect for me and similar to me. And he keeps himself fit and healthy and masha'allah looks younger than his age. I would appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Cutting the beard

Q: I came to know that In Shafi Madhab cutting beard is Makrooh (disliked) as said by their two great Shaikhs, Shaikh Al Nawai and I forgot the name of the other Shaikh. Can I follow Shafi madhab in the ruling of cutting the beard as I follow the Hanafi madhab but because I am feeling great resistance from society.