Women's Issues

Female studying alone in a foreign country

Q: I am from India but currently I am pursuing M.B.B.S in Dhaka where I live alone (without my family) in the girls hostel. This is my final year of M.B.B.S.

When I came to Dhaka I had no concept of deen, purdah , etc. and I was completely unaware about the fact that according to our Shari'ah, a girl is not supposed to stay so far without her mahram. Also I came across the fact that all my ibadat; be that namaaz, roza, duaa, any good deed , etc. is not valid while I stay in such conditions without any mahram. I am in need of advice, what should I do?

Working during iddat

Q: I've just got a divorce. Me and my ex have been living separately for the past 2 years but he refused to give me a divorce. He gave me the divorce yesterday. I know I need to sit in iddat, but I wanted to ask if there's any rules on work. I have about £800 expenses a month. I live with my parents but I do not think they can pay my expenses for the next three months. I work at an office full time and also have a part time job as a care assistant which requires travelling from house to house. I'm not too sure what to do and if I'm still allowed to work or not. Please help me out. 

Women in haidh entering Aqsa courtyard

Q: Can a woman in menstruation (haidh) enter the Masjid al-Aqsa compound? This is a compound surrounded by walls which contains several buildings such as the Dome of the Rock, Masjid al-Qibli, etc. Is the entire compound counted as the masjid (meaning that woman in menstruation can't enter) or is just the buildings counted as masjid and the rest as courtyard (which a woman in menstruation can enter)?