My engagement to a young man was announced and blessed by both our families reciting Al-Fatihah. Is it permissible that I take off my Hijab in his presence?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Reciting Al-Fatehah (The opening chapter of the holy Qura'n) to declare an engagement isn`t tantamount to a marriage contract and it isn`t permissible for him to see you without hijab or stay in private with you before the conclusion of the marriage contract. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
I prayed all the obligatory prayers in congregation, but after finishing the `Isha prayer, I remembered that I had forgotten to pray Dhuhr. What should I do, and is my prayer invalid?
Your prayers are valid, but you must make up the Dhuhr prayer as soon as you remember it, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Whoever forgets a prayer must pray it as soon as they remember it; there is no expiation for it except this." [Muslim]. And Allah knows best
How to pay Zakah (obligatory charity) due on articles of merchandise?
Articles of merchandise are estimated by their whole sale market price at the end of each lunar year, and (2.5%) of their value is paid as Zakah whether it (value) went up, or down compared to actual purchasing price, and whether the increase (profit) was in the article itself such as an increase in the animal`s weight, or in the prices themselves. And Allah Knows Best.
Does wiping over one's socks during ablution permissible?
If the socks were thick, then wiping over them during ablution is permissible so long as wiping conditions are observed. And Allah Knows Best.