Respected scholars, As-Salamu `Alaykum. I have asked this question of many scholars but no one has been able to give me a satisfactory answer. I hope you can clarify it for me. I know that man has to go through a lot of problems and afflictions throughout his life. Now these sufferings could be a punishment from God or it could be that God wants to test his faith and raise his ranks in the Hereafter. But how can we tell the difference between punishment from God or tests and trials by God? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Why does Islam prohibit adoption? Adoption is a good thing. It provides a home, a set of parents, and a loving family to children who otherwise would grow up without such blessings. Why does Islam prohibit children who have no one from belonging to a family?
 

Dear scholars, my question relates to changing name, I mean, is it necessary for newly converts to Islam to change their names or they can keep their Christian or any previous names?

When can I start fasting six days of Shawwal, since we have annual leave right now?

I have embraced Islam – praise be to Allah – and I have three children; I come from a Christian family that is tolerant of my being Muslim. My question is: how can I introduce Islam to my children, one of whom is eleven years old, the other is eight years old, and my daughter is five years old, without forcing them?

I am an engineer working for a company. One of the perks that I get in return for my work is a sum of money to compensate me for what I have spent on updating my engineering skills, such as conferences and books. If I do not use the money during one year, the company keeps the money. The company also allows me, as a one-off, to buy a computer without stipulating any maximum limit on the price of this computer. Some of my colleagues who have the same perks bought a computer and gave the invoice to the company to show that they bought this computer, then they returned the computer to the store and took the money and kept it. Is it permissible for me to do the same thing?.

What is the rate of Zakaat al-Fitr? Is it permissible to give it after the Eid Prayer? Is it permissible to give Zakaat al-Fitr in cash?

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"?.

If the sin involves the rights of another person then what form should repentance take?