Do We Need an Imam to Be Married?

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The key thing, however, is to remember that the two major commandments are identical in all three religions: namely, to love the Lord our One God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and to love our fellow human beings as we love ourselves. This is the Divine Intent and mandate for all human beings.

The differences in our liturgy and forms of worship are means to increasing closeness and intimacy with God, and each human being may select the method that suits him or her best. But there can be no difference in our ethics, the notions that collectively embody our understanding of the common good.

With whom does the husband's first responsibility lie?
My question is, with whom does a husband's first responsibility lie? The wife or the mother? Does the husband care for his mother's home before he takes care of his own responsibilities in his own home and with his own family? What do I do when I know my husband's mother is wrong and overstepping her boundaries and meddling in our marriage and private life, without sounding rude or disobedient to my elder?

Islam is primarily about justice in all areas--social, moral and economic. Every child shares in a parent's estate, not the oldest alone. It is also a religion that emphasizes balance. Your challenge is to point this out to your husband and to make your claim clear, based on the issue of balance and justice. It is not about positioning one party against another.

Can Muslims eat shellfish?
Can Muslims eat crab? Lobster? Mussels? Clams? Catfish? Rabbit?

Per Qur'an 16:14, Muslim jurists have deemed it permissible to eat any "meat" that comes from the sea. All seafood is therefore deemed halal, permissible.

Rabbit is a land animal, and is also halal as long as it is slaughtered according to the rules.