What is the importance of being truthful, both in personal and business relationships, in Islam? Is lying ever considered and (acceptable) action?

What is zuhd (asceticism)? Does it mean wearing scruffy clothing, fasting constantly, and keeping away from society, or something else?

I once read a hadith in an islamic forum but the reference for the hadith was not mentioned. The hadith sounds beautiful but i'll love to confirm it's authenticity before i quote it to anyone. The hadith goes like this, the Prophet(saw) said, " When one of youdoes her best to be a good wife, The reward equals someone who is fasting all day and praying all night." I'll really appreciate your help.

A woman became Muslim and lives with her family who are not Muslims, and now they do not object to her being Muslim. She tried to call them to Islam by various means, but to no avail. How should she deal with them in their misguided state? Should she uphold ties with them or limit her relationship with them?.

What is the ruling on eating the food (rice, meat, chicken or cake) that is given to us by a Christian friend that he made for his birthday or for Christmas or the Christian New Year? What is your opinion on congratulating him by saying, "Insha Allaah you will continue to do well this year" so as to avoid saying Kull 'aam wa antum bi khayr (approx. "season's greetings") or "Happy New Year" etc?

A man lives within a community that commits shirk (polytheism) by appealing for help from other than Allah. Is he allowed to pray with them with their leading the prayer? Is it obligatory to abandon them? Is their Shirk considered shirk al-akbar (great and serious act of disbelief by associating other beings with Allah's supremacy)? Is alliance with them treated the same as alliance with true non-believers?

I have a question regarding the permissibility of becoming a law enforcement officer in this country that does no follow sharee 'ah. Is it haraam to be enforcing laws that have not been developed by our Creator Allaah and His holy Prophets (upon whom be peace)? Even if it means enforcing laws on non-Muslims?

Partciluarly, is it permissible to enforce a law like punishing someone for speeding on the highway? What about allowing someone to drink alcohol if he is over 21 but not if he is under 21? Even though this is not Islamic, should a Muslim allow such behaviour among non-Muslims? Of course, Muslims will be accountable for these haraam actions in the Hereafter, but is it okay to let non-Muslims do this?

In my school it is Christmas time. My school has this Christmas tradition. Every year a classroom gets an adopted family that is poor so they can buy gifts, food, and donate money to them for Christmas. Unfortunately, I have refused to donate any money or give any food for the following reason: These denotations will be done in the name of Christmas, so that when the adopted family receives these donations, they will say "God Bless The Christians". 
Am I right for refusing to give donations?

Is it mustahabb to say Qunoot during the daily prayers for our brothers in Gaza, so that Allaah will relieve them of the aggression of the Jews? In which prayer should Qunoot be said?

I have committed many sins which no one knows of except Allaah. What do I have to do so that Allaah will accept my repentance?

Can you recommend a book in english that explains what it really means that the Qu'ran is not a creation; and what we should believe in as Muslims?

What advice can you give to the Muslims in the west in the current situation in which the Muslim ummah finds itself? How can we fulfil our Islamic duties and please Allaah?.