Aqaaid

Gadats

Q: Are 'gadats' which are commonly performed in (cape town , south africa) part of our Islamic religion and is it mentioned in the Quran. Is it a good thing? A Sunnah? Will one benefit from taking part in these 'gadats'? We also refer to these 'gadats' as 'thikrs'. Is gadats and thikr the same thing? What is the difference? What about the 3,7,40,100day (gadat) ceremonies for the deceased?

Burying Islamic literature

Q: With regards to Islamic literature, for example letters and leaflets that contain the name of Allah Ta'ala and the prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), how are they to be disposed of? Is it correct to wipe away/erase those names and then dispose of the letters in the bin, or must they be burned?