Is it permissible for a person to sever ties with his sister because her husband had quit prayer and done him harm?
A sister is a blood-relative and maintaining blood-relations is mandatory in Islam. As regards her husband, he should be invited to the way of Allah with wisdom and beautiful preaching.
Is Iddah (waiting period) incumbent on an old lady whose husband had died?
Upon the death of the husband, Iddah is incumbent on the wife regardless of her age.
I`m a mother of three orphans. Is it permissible for me to spend on myself from their salary, such as buying a Jilbab*?
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.
It is permissible to take a reasonable amount that is equal to your services to them. However, it is better that you don`t. The evidence on this is that Almighty Allah Says (What means): "Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account." [An-Nisa`/6]. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* A full-length outer garment, traditionally covering the head and hands, worn in public by some Muslim women.
What is the ruling on reciting verses of the Holy Quran on water, then drinking it?
It is permissible to recite Quran on water, then drink it as a kind of treatment since the Quran heals. Allah, The Almighty, says:” We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.”{Al-Isra`/82}.
