Miscellaneous

Replying to the Salaam

Q: Is it obligatory on us to reply if anyone says to us Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraakatuhu? What will be the extent of that reply, do we have to say Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraakatuhu or we can just say Wa Alaikum Assalam? Whenever I receives your reply through email, there is always written Salaam in the beginning, do I have to reply to that Salaam as well?

Changing one's gender

Q: I have a question. My brother who was before while he was a baby/born was a girl. After that s/he was being checked up at the age of 16-17 because s/he didn't have period like any normal girls. After they checked up they've found that his real gender is a MALE. So s/he decided to make an operation to be a MALE (his real gender).