Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Firstly, I would recommend you watch this presentation, and although it might be bit technical for her, you would be able to hopefully explain it in a way that she understands:

Basically, in Arabic language, pronouns do not always necessarily need to refer to gender, and we most certainly know that Allah ta'ala is above gender, but we must refer to Him with something. 

In the English language, he/she in most cases only refers to gender, so the problem could be due to the language as well. Whatever the case may be, we still need to address Almighty God with something, as long as we know and understand that it is not a gender based usage, because Almighty God does not have a body or a gender. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

We believe that the names, titles and kunyahs (teknonym) of our Ma'sumeen (a.s.) and certain eminent members of their family are chosen by Allah ta'ala. It was also a custom among Arabs at that time to give a kunyah to a person who didnt have a child with that name. 

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s.) has kunyah of Abu Ja'far, and he did not have a child by the name of Abu Ja'far. 

Imam al-Mahdi (a.a.f.) has the kunyah Aba Saleh, and he does not have children.

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) has kunyah of Abu Abdillah, but his elder son was Isma'il. Although he did have a son by the name Abdullah (al-Aftah), but it would not be possible for the Imam to have that kunyah for that reason, because Abdullah al-Aftah was deviant. 

As for Imam Husain (a.s.), his kunyah was also Abu Abdillah, and it is not clear exactly why, but it has been explicitly mentioned from the Messenger of God (s.a.w.). One narration says that the Prophet (s.a.w.) used this kunyah with Imam Husain (a.s.) when he was at the age of two. 

Therefore, his kunyah has been transmitted as such, from the Prophet (s.a.w.), and of course what the Prophet does is from Allah ta'ala.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

1. I would recommend you learn as much as you can about Islamic jurisprudence, and the method of selecting a Marja' Taqleed. This lesson will in shaa Allah help you: 

2. Once you have developed a good understanding of selecting a Marja' taqleed, you will know that it is important to follow the "most learnt", and most commonly followed. 

3. Should you have any further questions, speak to your local qualified scholar.

With prayers for your success

Bismihi ta'ala

Other than the holy Quran, we do not have a book that is completely authentic, from cover to cover. Even our early hadith books like al-Kafi, etc, are to be individually evaluated and scrutinised by experts of hadith grading. 

The great book Bihar al-Anwar, by al-'Allamah al-Majlisi (q.s.) is no exemption as well. As for percentage or proportion, that cannot be defined as a whole, because each scholar could have different methodology of grading authenticity, and other related issues to hadith grading.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Location should not affect the ability to weep and shed tears for Imam Husain (a.s.), as when you hear the musibah of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), you should completely zone out from everything else and express your grief. 

Of course, it is always best to attend Majalis in person, participating in the mourning ceremonies with other believers and increasing the number of devotees who commemorate the tragedy of Karbala. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, if it is crucial information and would affect the success of the marriage, and you are asked for your input, you must be honest. 

This situation is among the cases where gheebah (backbiting) is permissible, or maybe could even be obligatory. 
Of course, you must be careful that it does not somehow backlash onto you as well. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

According to our Shi'i fiqh, it is makruh to fast on Ashura` day. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

This would depend on the method of how it was set. Was it a vow, recited in the shar'i formula, or not? 

If it was a vow, your father is able to release you from it. Please refer to detailed Ahkam books for further explanation.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, the 'iddah period must still be observed by the wife, even though a long time has passed from their separation, as long as she is not ya`isah. 

It is three menstrual cycles, and she does not necessarily need to do anything. The only thing she cannot do at all is get remarried during this time. 

Please refer to detailed Ahkam books for further explanations.

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

It's always best to focus on long-term goals, especially in settled down and building a family. Temporary marriage contracts could assist you in the physical sense, but in a lot of cases could also damage your reputation and minimise your motive for wanting to get married. 

With high level of patience and strict discipline, you are able to avoid sin, and build your character to hopefully quickly get married. 

My advice is to stay away from it, and concentrate on finding a good Muslimah for marriage, with dua to Allah ta'ala and tawassul to Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), in shaa Allah. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Firstly, we should refrain from using the word dowry, because in English it is a payment given by the bride to her husband. 

Whereas, in Islam, it is from the groom to the bride, and not a payment, but a token and sign of loyalty and truthfulness, which is why in the Quran and Sunnah it is called "Sidāq". 

We also call it Mahr, and in English, we can call it bridal-gift or nuptial-gift. 

Once the marriage contract (nikah / 'aqd shar'i) is done, it becomes the husband's duty to fulfill the contract and what he comitted to. This obligation depends on the agreement the bride and groom had. Was there a clause in the contract, like dividing the mahr into "muqaddam" or immediate, and "mu`akhar", which is the deferred amount. 

Is the husband capable of giving it immediately. Has the wife demanded it? Can the husband give it in installments. These are different scenarios that could occur, so it would depend on the circumstance. 

Some cultures also have it to be given on the day of the nikah as well. 

So, from a shar'i perspective, it becomes wajib upon the husband to give the mahr that he agreed on, whenever it is demanded by the wife, whenever he is able to, and according to whatever agreement they had. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, feet are a part of female's hijab, to be covered in front of non-mahram men.

And Allah knows best.