I'm visiting my parents home for 9 days but I'm unclear whether it will be Qasr for me. I normally live in California and my parents moved to Illinois about one year ago. The longest I've stayed with my parents at this place is one month. However I've never worked or gone to school or really lived there so I'm hesitant to call it home. Should I be praying Qasr namaz at my parents anyways?

Thanks

If you live in California and your parents live in Illinois, and you do not take their house as your home, then you should consider your visit as traveling and shorten your prayers.

During this month of Ramadhan, I have not yet attended any Majalis or jamaat prayers, mostly due to the fact that I would be leaving my mother home by herself. She has raised me and my two brothers almost singlehandedly. She is healthy, Alhamdulilah, so she does not need my presence for anything that is of real importance. I do however assist her with small tech problems that come up now and again.
Is it possible that assisting my mother with such small things and just being good company to her, could be weightier that Jamaat prayer or attending a Majlis?
Also, is it bad akhlaq to leave her alone at home?.... even though she would never wish to prevent me from going out to pray?....or to eat at the masjid, even though she cooks for the both of us?

It’s not binding on you to go to the Islamic center although there is a lot of benefit in attending.

There is a high reward for taking care of ones parents.

What is considered a beard islamically

According to Sayed Sistani: Based on obligatory precaution it is not permissible for a man to shave his beard. Similarly, it is not permissible for him to just leave the hair on his chin and shave the sides. This too is based on obligatory precaution. A Muslim is allowed to shave his beard, if he is compelled to do so or if he is forced to shave it for medical reasons, etc. It also allowed if he fears harm to his life by not shaving or if growing the beard would put him in difficulty (for example, if it becomes a cause of ridicule and humiliation that is not normally tolerable by a Muslim). We see that it is impermissible to have a clean shaven face and also a goatee. So this shows us that the beard should be complete. As far as length it should be enough to be considered that he has a beard even if it is very low.

For a teenager whos just growing soft facial hair ie sideburns and chin and it wouldnt be called a proper beard, does the ruling apply to him aswell?

Do your best of growing a beard and of course you would not be held accountable for what is out of your power or what is not in your capability

What is considered a beard islamically

According to Sayed Sistani: Based on obligatory precaution it is not permissible for a man to shave his beard. Similarly, it is not permissible for him to just leave the hair on his chin and shave the sides. This too is based on obligatory precaution. A Muslim is allowed to shave his beard, if he is compelled to do so or if he is forced to shave it for medical reasons, etc. It also allowed if he fears harm to his life by not shaving or if growing the beard would put him in difficulty (for example, if it becomes a cause of ridicule and humiliation that is not normally tolerable by a Muslim). We see that it is impermissible to have a clean shaven face and also a goatee. So this shows us that the beard should be complete. As far as length it should be enough to be considered that he has a beard even if it is very low.

For a teenager whos just growing soft facial hair ie sideburns and chin and it wouldnt be called a proper beard, does the ruling apply to him aswell?

Do your best of growing a beard and of course you would not be held accountable for what is out of your power or what is not in your capability

I am an first year undergraduate student studying in London and I am considering a career as an Islamic researcher/speaker /teacher . is there any advice or tips you can give me?

Wa alaykum salam. You should visit the Islamic College of England. Seek their counsel and look at their programs since you are in London.

Can i pray namaz after a haircut done by kafir wherein water has been used by her or is it necessary to wash my hair before praying?

Was the person touching your wet hair from the people of the book (Jew or Christian)? Or were they an atheist or hindu for example?

hindu

Ok, you would need to wash those parts they touched while being wet.

Can i pray namaz after a haircut done by kafir wherein water has been used by her or is it necessary to wash my hair before praying?

Was the person touching your wet hair from the people of the book (Jew or Christian)? Or were they an atheist or hindu for example?

hindu

Ok, you would need to wash those parts they touched while being wet.

Can we eat food at Parsi restaurant?

The general rule is that whatever you take from the hand of a Muslim is deemed as halal.

If you take meat from the non muslim you must assume that it is haram and inquire if it is halal or not.

veg of parsi ... fine?

Vegetables are fine.

Can we eat food at Parsi restaurant?

The general rule is that whatever you take from the hand of a Muslim is deemed as halal.

If you take meat from the non muslim you must assume that it is haram and inquire if it is halal or not.

veg of parsi ... fine?

Vegetables are fine.

I am travelling to another state....Will be in place A for 3/4 days then proceed to another far off place.B...Will be there for 3 days and return to A for 7 days...what is my obligation for prayers in place A...as total stay is more than 10 but not continuous.

You will pray Qasr because you’re not in the same place for ten days.