How sound is this hadeeth: “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr”?

Is it permissible to eat food that is distributed on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Some people quote as evidence the idea that because Abu Lahb set free a slave woman on the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), Allaah reduced the torment for him on that day.

I live and work in UK. In order to get extra welfare benefits to help pay my rent and local council taxes (on top of national taxes) I am showing less income (earnings). By doing so I get extra money which helps pay various bills and I save some as well. Is this permissible? Is this income Haram? Is the whole amount of benefit I get Haram or parts?

How does participating in Hajj affect the life of a Muslim?

I was thought in my school that there is dua for iftiyari only n not for sahoor. for sahoor it's the intention in heart but my husband says there is dua for sahoor too. pls guide me to what is correct.

Does falling into sin indicate that there is something wrong with one's 'aqeedah (belief system)?

When a person repents, he makes a vigorous start and says: "The Shaytaan is telling me to slow down", so he does more acts of worship. Then his enthusiasm cools down, and he says: "Allah does not burden any person beyond his scope", and his acts of worship become less until he goes back to the way he was. 

My question: What advice can you give? Should he make a vigorous start, or take a gradual approach until it is established and then add more after a while, or should he follow the saying: "When your wind blows, then make the most of it"?.

Allah tells us in the Qur'an not to cut off our blood relations. What is the interpretation of the Ayah that commands us not to severe ties of kinship? Who does it refer to? Just parents and siblings? What if one maintains contact with one's parents only through telephone or letters although he is capable of visiting them. Yet, he feels that maintaining a certain distance is healthier to the relationship ?

Is it true that the person who is used to studying in Islamic schools, and has no previous experience of studying in non-Islamic schools, will never be able to connect with the environment that surrounds him, where most of the people are non-Muslims and that he will grow up shy and will never find any way to succeed either in his academic life or in the workplace? What is your opinion about that?

I tell non-Muslims that Allah created everything in this universe. They ask me who created Allah? How can Allaah have been there since the beginning? 
How can I answer them?