Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

According to our jurists, there are about twenty five prohibited acts during Ihram, and one of them is tadhleel, or being under a shade for a male during the day while travelling. This means a male cannot be directly under any shelter during the day time when travelling from the Miqat to Meccah al-Mukarramah, but then inside Meccah, he can. 

In looking into the wisdom behind this, I have not come accross a reliable reference that explains this, but it seems that one possibility could be that it is a sign of humility. Instead of the person travelling with extravagence and comfort, he commences his spiritual journey of humbling himself by being under the sky. 

And Allah knows best.

Bismihi ta'ala

There are references that when the holy Prophet (s.a.w.) went in his Mi'raj journey, Allah ta'ala communicated with the Prophet (s.a.w.), in the voice of Imam Ali (a.s.).  This is among the merits of Imam Ali (a.s.). 

Of course, in Sunni sources, like al-Durr al-Manthur, v. 4, p. 154-5, it says the Prophet (s.a.w.) heard the voice of Abu Bakr. 

But Sunni sources also narrate it being Imam Ali (a.s.). 

We have absolute belief that Allah ta'ala does not have a body, or anything material, and even in this case of "communicating", it was casting the sound. 

So, the voice was not Imam Ali (a.s.), but the casting of a sound to an angel that resembled the voice of Imam Ali (a.s.), because it was the most loved of sounds for the Prophet (s.a.w.). 

Some Sunni references for this narration:

al-Manaqib, by al-Khwarazmi, p. 78, p. 6, h. 61.

Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, v. 1, p. 246, h. 28. 

With prayers for your success

Bismihi ta'ala

In the context of marriage, istikharah should only occur if someone is two-minded about two different proposals at once, both being equal. 

For marriage, you should do a background check on the person, research about them, look at compatibility, try to understand who they are, their family especially, and then consult with well-informed or experienced people. 

How actually religious are they? How is their akhlaq and what are their moral standards? These are the two primary questions you must have an answer to as well.

It's only after this that you evaluate the situation, and see whether or not you are still confused and two-minded, in which case you can do istikharah. 

Faal is different to istikharah. Faal is trying to find out what will happen, whereas istikhara is is about whether you should go ahead or not. 

In any case, these stages should be pursued, and if you are convinced, and done all your required work, you do not need to resort to istikharah.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Not in most cases. Wiping would not suffice when purifying, and "washing" must be done, even if it is a very small amount of water, as long as it is "washed". 

There are certain laws related to using something other than water when doing istinja` from extretement of faeces. The details of this you must read in the book of laws of your Marja' taqleed.

However, in general washing must be done.

And Allah knows best.  

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, it would be valid, and there would be no issue with your prayer. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

If the expertise view of the specialist is that it is harmful for the mother, with unbearable pain and harm that cannot be tolerated, or really "life-threatening", then it is permissible to have an abortion, as long as it is before the 4th month of pregnancy, when the soul enters the body. 

This is the general view of our esteemed jurists.

And Allah knows best.

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, it would be permissible, as long as it does not entail anything else haram.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

No, it would not be considered a sin everytime you drive your car.

In the incident of you missing out on your prayer intentionally, repent for that, if you have not already done so, do the prayer you missed out on (as qadha`), and focus more on prioritising your prayers, in shaa Allah. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Being under the water for 5 minutes would, in most, if not all cases make water reach all parts of your head, and that would be enough for your ghusl. The important thing is you follow the correct procedure of ghusl, which is head/neck, then right side of body, then left side of body.

Avoiding excessive doubt is also very important.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

It would be best to put this food somewhere in your backyard or an open area, so birds can eat from it, as long as the food is not harmful to animals. Or if you have a compost bin.

If you have no way of getting rid of the food other than throwing it in the rubbish bin, then you have no option.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, Islamically there would be no problem for her to wear such clothes, as long as there is no cultural issue that sees this to be inapproproiate.

It might be the case that from a shar'i perspective something is permissible, but within the context of a culture, it is seen in a different way, and therefore one should also take that into consideration. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

No, there is no situation where a person is allowed to not pray. 

If they forget, or if they are sleeping, this will be an exemption from sin, and they can do their prayer that they missed out because they were sleeping or forgot.

Otherwise, as long as you are awake and know its prayer time, you must pray, whatever the circumstance may be. (of course  a female if she is in her haydh or nifas, she does not pray).

If you have missed out on prayers, intentionally, then you must repent and do those prayers as qadha. 

And Allah knows best