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 photography forbidden, such as photographs of children?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
If there is a need for taking photographs of children or adults, then this is allowed. However, taking photographs of women shouldn`t be tolerated. Rather, they must be taken while wearing Hijab and must be kept in safe hands. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
Is washing the private part after urinating (Istinjaa`) a condition, and is it done with water and soap, or with water only?
Istinjaa` is obligatory for removing impurity, and it can be done with toilet paper, or a stone, or water. It is preferable to do Istinjaa` first with paper, or stone, or the like, then to wash the private part with water until making sure that the impurity has been removed. Using soap is not a condition, but there is no harm in doing so provided that it is washed off with water. It is also permissible to use either water, or paper if impurity is removed by any.
Is Zakah due on a woman`s deposited gold?
Zakah (obligatory charity) is due on deposited gold if it reached Nissab (minimum amount liable for Zakah), and a lunar year had lapsed over owning it. The due Zakah is (2.5%). And Allah Knows Best.
