Is it permissible for a woman to conclude her marriage without the approval of her family?
No marriage is permissible without the presence of a guardian and two trust worthy witnesses, and the woman whose family had denied her right in getting married to a God-fearing, financially and physically capable man should go to the court.
When the soul leaves the body, does it hear and see? And where does the soul go?
The important thing is that the soul departs while its owner is a believing, repentant Muslim, as this is a good ending. As for the details, they are lengthy. The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise or a pit from the pits of Hellfire. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
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.
Are dream interpretation books accurate?
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.
Dream interpretation books are unreliable because they are merely expectations, not rulings of Sharia. However, if one sees a dream which one does not like, one should spit on one's left side and seek the refuge of Allah from the satan; it will not do one any harm, and one should not disclose it to anyone. If one sees a good vision, one should feel pleased but should not disclose it to anyone but whom one loves. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.