Is the `Iddah (waiting period) of the divorced effective from the time the divorce took place, or from the time of registering it at the court?
It is considered effective from the very moment her divorce took place, but not from the time of registering it at the court. And Allah Knows Best.
Is speaking to a person from the opposite sex forbidden or not?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Talking to a person from the opposite sex is forbidden in Islam because it entails a great deal of evil, which could lead to a graver sin. Moreover, Islam forbids having a friend from the opposite sex. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
Is it permissible to use the term 'Al-Jalalah' (Majesty) for anyone other than Allah, The Exalted?
In the Arabic language, a man of dignity and reverence is described as 'Jaleel' (noble), and similarly, an elder or a woman of dignity may be described as 'Jaleelah'. In such contexts, one may use the title 'His Majesty' or 'Her Majesty.' However, the Majesty of Allah, The Exalted, is unlike the majesty of humans, just as His hearing is not like our hearing, and His sight is not like our sight. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
I have 490 shares in a commercial company, and they have been held for a year. The price of each share is one dinar, noting that the shares are at a loss. I want to know the amount of zakat due on them?
Commercial shares are subject to zakat based on their current market value, even if they are at a loss. The zakat rate is 2.5%. And Allah Knows Best.