Miscellaneous

Q: If somebody tries to make me watch TV or show me a picture on their phone then what would be a wise response I could memorize?

"Many readers may not be aware that some ingredients of fizzy drinks such as Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola and others have been dissolved in alcohol." Dr Muhammad ‘Ali al-Baarr says in his book al-Khamr bayna at-Tibb wa’l-Fiqh so is it out of taqwa these drinks are avoided? or are they permissible? Please explain how they become taahir if alcohol is used in case I need to explain to others.

Q: Is it permissible to use an electric/electronic device to kill off insects such as cockroaches, ants etc. Presumably such devices have a heating element under a plate and insects are literally roasted to death or simply electrocuted.

Q: I was wondering, what should one do when they cannot remember all the people that they have wronged? What will happen to me on the day of resurrection if I cannot remember?

Q: If a person commits a few major sins, does he have to make salaatut tawbah for all in two rakaats or separate rakaats?

Q: Something like photography for ID and passport reasons are permissible out of necessity. Similarly, to sit in an aero plane where free mixing and alcohol is served is also permissible. The same with going to a bank for a valid reason. Please advise if one should make Istighfaar when one's picture is taken for these reasons, or one is in an aero plane, or in a bank etc. The thought came to mind that since Allah Ta'ala has given us leeway in these matters, it is incorrect to make Istighfaar for such things as it is on account of His Kindness. However, I also thought because of our disobedience to Allah Ta'ala, He has subjected us to these systems of kuffaar and their governments as punishment. Hence, we should make Taubah and Istighfaar for being so sinful that we have to be disgraced at the hands of kuffaar and kuffaar governments (like photography, evil environments, banking etc.) on account of His punishment in the first place.

Q: A boy who has not had a wet dream becomes baligh at the age of 15. I am aware that this refers to the 15 years in the lunar calender, but since people generally do not know their age in the lunar calendar, can we instead just tell them "15 years", even if they will assume this to be according solar calendar? This since it is difficult for the awwaam to calculate their age according to the lunar calender. Similarly can we tell them that "A child should be made to pray at the age of 7", "the custody of a girl moves away from her mother at the age of 9" etc, even though we know that they will assume this to be solar years? Also, can we ourselves act on the solar years too, even though we are aware that lunar years are really meant?

Q: When I meet my Aunt (father's sister) do I need to bow my head in meeting her or can I just make Salaam from a distance?

Q: Does reading ones lips in a video count as eavesdropping?

Q: A person had a dream that their whole family was in Madinah Shareef and certain things took place. They informed a Maulana of this dream and the Maulana replied that the person will soon go to Madinah Shareef. I am aware that our aqeedah is that only Allah knows matters of the unseen and of future events. Therefore are we to believe that the Maulana is just giving an indication of what the dream could lead to based on what has been told to him, but the Maulana cannot say that it will certainly happen 100% without a doubt?

Q: At a soccer match on 20th February 2015 fans of a Saudi Arabian soccer team by the name of Ittihad FC 'sang' the nasheed "Tala Al Badru Alayna," and held up a scarf saying: "On Messenger of Allah my beloved." Muslims are getting excited by this, saying MashaAllah. Are these actions of the fans of the fans and the subsequent reaction of Muslims justified? If it is not, would you be kind enough to explain why?