How many prostrations of Quranic recital are there, and is it permissible not to offer them while reciting?
There is one prostration for the Quranic recital, and it is a Sunnah for which one is rewarded upon offering it. However, one who doesn`t isn`t punished. Therefore, those who fail to offer it aren`t considered sinful, rather they deprive themselves from the reward.
Should a person feel pleased, or have a virtuous vision after offering Istikhara (guidance prayer) in order to do what he/she had offered it for?
The result of the Istikhaarah is not necessarily that a person sees something (in his dream), or feels pleased, but the most important result of the Istikhaarah is whether a person is enabled to do a given matter or not.
What is the ruling on smoking?
All Perfect Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds
Smoking is forbidden (Haram) since it is harmful to one`s health as confirmed by trustful physicians, and Islam has forbidden taking anything that causes harm. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocated harm." [Ibn Majah and Ahmad]. And Allah Knows Best.
Is a Muslim is Permitted to Pray Wearing Shoes?
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions There is no harm for a Muslim to pray wearing shoes or slippers so long as they are pure, since a man asked Anas Ibn Malik: "Did the Prophet (PBUH) use to offer the prayers with his shoes on?" He said: "Yes." Moreover, Ibn Rajab (May Allah have mercy on his soul) said: "Performing prayer wearing slippers/shoes is permissible according the majority of the Muslim scholars." [Fatih Al-Bary,vol.2/pp.274]. And Allah Knows Best.
