Interest and Gambling

Referring clients to parties offering "bridging finance"

6 days ago By user2

Q: I am an Attorney specialising in conveyancing. 

As part of the process, certain debts need to be paid by sellers before transfer is taken and the money is paid for them. 

Hence there is a service by third parties called bridging finance. They essentially give a seller a loan against the impending purchase price coming in. This service is probably a riba based model. 

I only refer non-Muslim clients to them. For that referral, the third party offers me a referral fee. Is that referral fee halaal for me ?

Helping one's wife pay an interest bearing loan

1 week ago By user2

Q: Before our marriage, my wife financed a car with an interest-bearing loan. I am not on the loan or title and had no involvement in the original contract. After marriage, I voluntarily began making the monthly payments. About $15,000 remains. 

Recently, I became concerned that making these payments may involve me in riba, so I offered to pay the entire balance immediately. My wife asked me to continue the regular payments for two more months because of a pending diminished-value insurance claim. I made one more monthly payment, despite being financially able to pay off the loan. 

My questions are: 

Am I sinful or considered the “payer of riba” mentioned in the hadith because I make payments on my wife's interest-bearing loan, even though I am not the borrower or owner? Was I sinful for making another monthly payment after I was able and willing to pay off the loan in full?

Upholding the laws of Islam in a Muslim or non-Muslim country

2 weeks ago By user2

Q: I would like to ask regarding فقه الأقليات. 

What is it? Could some examples be given of where it is applied? What's Mufti Saheb's stance on it? If Mufti Saheb is for it then why? If not then why? I would really appreciate a detailed answer as this is very commonly applied by Ulama here in the West and I'm not sure if what they're doing is right or not. Using this, some have permitted interest too.

Calling interest "service charge"

3 weeks ago By user2

Q: There is a government youth development department here. There is a loan project and it was declared on the terms 9% service charge for women with no Riba. 

9% at gradually low rate. 

Is working as a youth development officer halaal there or taking the loan? 

It’s a charitable government department but yet there is that 10% service charge for men, 9% service charge for women, etc. rate for other gender.

Receiving a random reward when paying a fee to enter a campaign

1 month ago By user2

Q: Is it permissible in Islam to participate in a campaign where I send $0.001 (a very small amount) to someone, and in return I receive a random reward that could be anywhere from a small amount up to $80? 

The reward is uncertain and based on luck. However, the money I send is never lost — I always receive a reward that is greater than the amount I sent. So I never lose my money, I only receive more. Is this considered gambling (maisir) or is it halal?”

Redeeming points from a bank and giving it in charity

6 months ago By user2

Q: My question is regarding Standard Bank U Courts. 

I do have points currently which I am not using as I believe that its haraam. 

Can I redeem the points by purchasing items from their stipulated stores and give it away in charity to my non Muslim helper or to an old age home or orphanage. If this is possible, does it have to be to a non Muslim old age home or orphanage? 

I also have the intention to cancel the U count

Winning money for catching the ball in the SA20 tournament

6 months ago By user2

Q: There is a cricket tournament called the SA20. In the SA20 tournament, if the batsman hits a 6, and someone from the crowd catches the ball with 1 hand, they win a share of 2 million rands. You do not have to enter any competition or anything, you just have to catch the ball with 1 hand and you win a share of 2 million rands with other individuals who caught the ball with one hand. 

Now I caught the ball with one hand and I'm entitled to the share. Now the sponsor of this competition is Betway. Is the money haraam even though I just won a competition without any money added to it and without taking pictures of the check with the name Betway. I just won a competition. Is the money haraam if it comes from that company?

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