Aqaaid

Q: Can a 40 day khatam be held outside of the home if there is a problem with space?

Q: I know that being a Hafiz-e-Quran has virtues, and there is a sahih hadith that says their parents will be crowned on the day of judgement. There is also a weak hadith that mentions they will intercede for ten relatives on the Day of Qiyamah. Despite this hadith being weak, Ulama have said that a Hafiz-e-Quran still has virtues and might intercede and they will go to Jannatul Firdaus.

I want to do hifz because I want Jannatul Firdaus, but I am 26 and struggle to memorize things. It is also very challenging to do hifz in today's busy schedule, where we work 9 to 5 or run businesses, and also have to pray five times a day and give time to family. In this case, what if we don't do hifz but instead learn essential Quranic Arabic words and grammar to understand the Qur'an in Arabic, and study reliable tafsir under a scholar like Tafsir Ibn Kathir or Bayan ul Quran?

Who has more virtues: a Hafiz-e-Quran or a person who is a non aalim but understands the Qur'an, knows what is written in it, is familiar with the seerah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and the stories of all the Prophets (qasas ul ambiyaa), and many other things? Can such a person who is not aalim and Hafiz but has the above mentioned knowledge go to Jannatul Firdaus and have virtues equal to a Hafiz-e-Quran or less or more? 

Q: Is committing sin and not having fear of Allah but having fear of people or to follow our desires considered to be shirk? Kindly answer all 3 different scenarios.

1. If we commit sins like listening to music, giving bribes or consuming riba secretly when we donate and have people watch us because we fear for our reputation, will it be considered shirk?

2. If we commit all such sins due to our weakness for money or for our love of listening to music yet we know that it is wrong because shariah does not permit these sins, will it be considered shirk because we are following our desires over following the commands of Allah Ta'ala.

3. If we stop consuming riba because government disallows it not because Allah has forbidden it, will it be considered shirk?

Q: Is it makŕooh to cut food or fruit on a glass plate or glass surface? Is there any relevance regarding this in Islam?

Q: Can a person convert to Islam if he is continuing in sinning? For example he says that he will commit zina with this girlfriend. And he won't break up and leave her alone after their marriage. However he will not commit kufr or shirk ever again neither minor or major nor will he do any other things and he will follow all the laws of Islam except he will Zina... And he says his shahada despite wanting to continue his relationship. Is his Islam accepted or denied?

Q: Someone living abroad falls in love with someone. They talk online. If they are into this relationship, will that be a reason for their duas not being answered from allah, even if they offer tahajjud and make sincere duas? 

Q: I have Islamic cds and cassettes. Am I allowed to recycle them?

Q: Will applying mehndi designs to the hands and eating mithai on the day of eid be considered as following the Hindus since they do the above on their celebration days? If yes, then should it be avoided?

Q:

1. How do I develop fear of Allah?

2. How do I become close to Allah?