Aqaaid

Rebuking a person saying "You are not a Muslim" due to him not fasting

Q: Many years ago I was having a heated argument with an individual. This individual at the time and now does not pray, rather rarely they do and I think it was in Ramadan and I think this individual was not fasting on this particular day and it was something like they were going out with their friends. I am not a knowledgeable person now nor was I then and I said something like this: "You are not a Muslim," Astaghfirullaah. I don't think I realised the seriousness of what I said and I realise the graveness of the words I uttered. From then till now I have repented for saying this, and obviously have had ghusl and said Shahadah many times. What do I have to do? What affect do my words have on me?

Disposing of literature of other religions

Q: The following situation befall me: I went to the toilet and seated on it and while I was doing my need, I saw under my feet a catholic newspaper was spread down. I saw words like "god". I hesitated whether I should remove it while doing my need or whether I should leave it. Then my mind decided that since it is a catholic newspaper and the word "god" is not like the name "Allah" I should leave it. Then after I finished and went to flush the toilet, I had still some hesitation and I took out the newspaper and looked what else was written and found in the inside also sentences about a death news "may she find rest by god". Then I just put the paper outside the toilet. Now was it kufr that I left it inside the toilet and not took it out immediately once I saw the word "god"?

Birthday parties

Q: Is birthday parties haraam? If a person sends to me a piece of her birthday cake, will it be haraam for me to eat? To send ones children to
birthday parties will it be also haraam? Please explain this issue well and if it is haraam why?

Zodiac signs

Q:

  1. Is it ok to read the Zodiac signs without believing in it firmly. Zodiac signs tell us about some things in general. Will this be permissible or will this be like going to a soothsayer?
  2. Is it permissible to wear stones or pearls? People say that they are a source of peace.