Q: I have an issue which is causing me a lot of distress and sadness. I recently have got in touch with my biological father who I have not known for 25 years because my step father has been trying to stop me from finding out about my real dad. Now I speak to my father regularly on the phone as he lives abroad. However my step mother tells my real dad to cut the calls of early, she tries to keep him away from me and does not want me to have a relationship with. As she does not have any of her own children and is feeling insecure. I do understand this but I feel stressed because I feel she is going to take my dad away from me. I have voiced my concerns to my dad but he has assurred me that she is not going to be a problem. She even told me 4 times to not focus on my dad and that I should focus on my stepfather. I just dont know what to do and I feel my emotions get the better of me. I try to make an effort with her but she wants to keep my dad away. My step father does not want anything to do with me if I see my real dad. I'm confused why should I have to satisfy my step parents. I want a relationship with my dad. Am I not allowed that. How do I deal with this? I just want to get to know my dad without them causing problems.

Q: I have a question that I'm having difficulty in finding an answer for. Would appreciate some help! I have read and heard that if a female gets her period during Umrah/Hajj, she can perform every ritual except Tawaf. Now some scholars say she can enter haram and others say she can't. I'm confused, because to do the Sai (in periods) one would have to enter the Haram. Can I sit in haram with my periods just to do tasbih?

Q: My husband bought chocolate the other day, the one he bought didn't have alcohol but I noticed some of the chocolates did have alcohol. Since the workers of the shop use one spatula to lift all the chocolates and give it to you, would this make my husband's hands and everything he subsequently touched after touching and eating the chocolate napaak?

Q: If a Muslimah was filmed without her consent by a protester, is she sinful?

Q: Are we allowed to work in a nursing home and serve residents haram dinner, maybe take a tray of pork meat to the residents for dinner? Can we spoon feed them pork dinners, also changing male or helping them with nursing? Can you please kindly confirm as to wether we are allowed, bathing dressing male residents and serving haram meal to them, will our wealth be haram?

Q: My cousin had some issues with his wife and his wife left him and moved to her parents. We all tried to settle the difference with them but she kept on asking for divorce. He went to court and sent her divorce papers... giving her divorce in it 3 times. Then every month the court sent her the notice for the divorce. Will the divorce be valid this way if there is no settlement between them even after 3 months?

Q: There are four schools of thought in which there are many differences, like Imam Shaafee says that one should recite Surah Fatiha behind the Imam whereas Imam Abu Hanifa says no to this. There is almost a difference of timing for asr salah. Where should one go, what must one do, who should he follow and which opinion is correct? 

Q: What to read when pregnant:

1-3 month (Surah Luqman)

As the brains are formed - for a wise and clever child

3-6 month (Surah Yusuf)

As the face is formed - for a beautiful child

6-9 months (Surah Muhammad)

As the body is formed - Good manners and qualities of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)

Surah Maryam throughout the pregnancy for easy pregnancy and easy labour

Surah Al-Haaqqah - no defects and healthy child and baby will be saved from all calamities. 

Q: What kind of dress should a man wear? Is it permissible to wear t-shirt coat and shirt?

Q: Many years ago, I read a book in which a hadith was cited wherein a wealthy Sahabi (radi'Allahu anhu) uttered a criticism and complaint about the existence in the midst of other Sahaba (radi'Allahu anhum) who were poor and therefore perceived as being an unduly burden on the community. As I recall - and I ask Allah's forgivness if I am mistaken in my recollection - Nabi sal'Allahu alayhi wa sallam, did not take kindly to the attitude of the Sahabi (radi'Allahu anhu) and rebuked him by saying words to the effect that it was only because of the existence of such poor people, that Allah's Mercy reached the community of believers at all.

Please confirm:

1. Whether such a hadith exists; and if does,

2. Whether it is reliable and authentic, and

3. If it is, provide me with a copy of the Hadith in Arabic together with a parallel english language translation?