Q: Should one pay zakaat on the money given as a deposit for purchasing a house?

Q: Kindly let me know if any Muffasir of the Quran mentioned that it was a Lion (and not a dog) that was present with the Ashaab-e-Kahf in Surah Kahf of the Quran.

Q: My father has passed away and has left property behind (house, animals, some cash) please guide me regarding distribution among siblings. The following details might be helpful for you:

1. My grand parents are not alive (brothers of my father are alive and have childrens)

2. My father already shifted the house on my name in his life (because he did not want to distribute it to other share holders)

3. I have mother and 3 sisters all of them are married and two of them don't want to share property (voluntarily)

4. My step sister under 18 years she lives with her mother (my step mother who was divorced)

Q: What is the ruling when it comes to surgery, for example, having an appendix removed or getting a kidney transplant etc?

Q: I woke up after having a wet dream. I immediately made Ghusl and then remained awake for sometime during which I performed Salaat. I then urinated. A sticky, semen-like fluid came out with the urine. The urine was also very cloudy indicting the possible presence of semen therein. I therefore made Ghusl again.

1. Was it necessary for me to make Ghusl again after observing this about the urine?

2. Was the Salaat valid?

Q: I had bay'at with a shaikh. Can I change my shaikh without informing him or is it necessary to inform him?

Q: I normally read the esha prayers at the masjid and then come home and delay the sunnah and 3 witr until after midnight. Is it okay to read it so late? If not what is the latest time it can be read?

Q: My question is, why doesnt the Holy Quran speak directly to women? The Holy Quran speaks directly to men in several cases but why doesnt it speak directly to women. I am a Muslim and do believe that Allah is the greatest, kind and just and in no way believe that He favoured men over women. Therefore, I do know there must be a reason for why Allah did not directly talk to women in the Holy Quran as with men. I also know that in that age more men could read than women but Allah created the Holy Quran until the end of time not just for that age.

Q: Does our Shariah allow for the boycotting of a particular country or products from a particular country for political reasons even though the products may be halaal suitable? If we do boycott, will we be guilty of making a halaal product haraam for ourselves?

Q: I am a 32 year old unmarried Muslim girl living with my parents. My mother recently told me that my father wants to adopt a son so that there is someone to look after him when he gets old. She says that they think if I ever get married my husband wont allow me to look after them in their old age.

This comment really hurt me because I try very hard to be a good and dutifull daughter and I do my best to help them with their work as much as possible. I have been crying ever since I heard this and I cant stop crying - I cant help the fact that I am not a boy and my father would have preferred a son.

My question is, will there be any reckoning in the hereafter for my parents making such comments? I know that Islam emphasises the importance of parents but what does it say about how parents should act towards their children, even if they are daughters? Will Allah ever question them for saying such things?