Ijaarah

Male gynaecologist

Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim male to practice as a gynaecologist, and is it permissible for a Muslim female to visit a male gynaecologist for her monthly check-ups and delivery of the baby?

Development of private cemeteries

Q: We wish to get involved in the development of private cemeteries. We will not be involved directly in burials but only in purchasing and developing it to the required standards for Council to allow burials on it. Most of the burials done here will be for non-muslims. The norm now in South Africa is for individual burial plots to be leased to the family of the deceased for approximately 10 years or so and thereafter the plots are recycled. We wish to humbly enquire whether it is permissible for us to lease the plots and then after 10 years or so, lease it again to a different family. It must be known that the Municipality has stressed that due to the large shortage of burial sites, all burial plots must be recycled after 7 to 10 years. Each individual plot will be surveyed and marked out and will be leased to burial homes in order for them to facilitate burials. Which of the following would be permissible for us to do: 

  1. Re-lease the plots after every 10 years
  2. Lease it for 10 years and thereafter sell the cemetery outright
  3. Sell the plots in perpetuity to the families of the deceased or the burial homes

Architecture, construction, design of buildings, etc

Q: I work in a company that deals with architecture, construction, design of buildings, etc.

1. If the client who is not a Muslim, asks one to include a room for prayers in the plan, is it permissible?

2. Is a contract for a haraam business e.g. a night club, bar, etc. permissible?

3. If one is aware that the person is going to do haraam in the building, is it still permissible?

Working in the banking/financial services industry and looking for a better job

Q: I just want some advice regarding my predicament and also to request your Duas that Allah takes me out of this situation. I have been working in the banking/financial services industry for the last 11 years and at first did not realise that it was wrong but, in the last 6 years or so have been trying very hard to get out but to no avail. I have applied for many hundreds of jobs and I always make Taubah. I used to contribute in Allah's course but now I am scared to. I want to go for Umrah and Hajj but am worried that I will be sinning by doing so. I try to spend on my family within my capacity but always end up feeling depressed as I know where the money is coming from. What can I do to improve my chances of getting a better source of income?