Various masaail of Business and Dealings

Q: Is a man allowed to make business with non mahrams if they are his cousins and friends with whom he laughs and is forced to speak beyond business to keep good relations.

Q: My family's financial condition is very severe nowadays. And here in India, I'm not getting a job anywhere in the companies because of my beard in spite of being highly qualified. My parents have some how gathered up money and also through a relatives' link have got me a job in U.S. And as I have to appear for visa interview, my parents have said me to trim the beard to less than a fistful length just for the visa interview and not to cut the beard afterwards as after reaching there it isn't going to be a problem inshallah. They're very sceptical that if I appear the visa interview without trimming, the interviewer might presume me to be a "radical Islamic fundamentalist" and reject me. And all the last pennies invested on me will turn to zilch. Also there isn't much hope here in India to get a job as I have tried to get one since last 3 years. Considering my financial condition, will it be allowed for me to trim my beard to less than a fistful length just for this occasion? Even I'm very reluctant to do it but my financial condition and the state of my family is such that I'm forced to entertain such vile ideas. Please advise me.

Q: A company where I shop at has given me a loyalty/rewards card whereby I earn points for products I buy and I can then use these points to buy other products. In other words these points are used to buy the products instead of cash. Is this permissible?

Q: I was paid for getting internet for a research project sponsored by the government. I went to local private phone company and purchased Internet connection for one year with unlimited use of internet connection. They gave me a small router that I can put in my pocket. I use it or I do not use it, it does not matter. Payment has been made. If I use it for my personal use in addition to the research project use, is it jaaiz? Such use does not burden or hurt the government or the phone company in any way.

Q: A person (A) refers a customer to another person (B) because A does not sell in goods required by that customer. B gives A commission for sending customer to him. Is it allowed in Shariah?

Q: I had purchased a computer from a shop. There are a few software which are not genuine. They are pirated version like windows etc. So is it permissible to use such software? We use this computer for our work, so will our income be lawful?

Q: Online promotion code and free online wallet money, is it haraam or halaal?

Q: Can I start a new company while working for another company without compromising on my work for the current employers? Do I have to inform the employers?

Q: I was talking to a friend of mine and I accidently talked about the preparation method of one of my parents businesses which was a chain store for smoothies. If I broke some kind of confidentiality agreement, do I have to ask for forgiveness? The thought crossed my mind but I for some reason kept going with the discussion not knowing if there was one.

Q: An employee works for a company and his stipulation is not set at the beginning. He is paid an amount less than the market rate for such a job. Secondly, the employer places the entire burden of taxes on the employee, whereas the employer is required by law to pay 7.65%. The employee works because he cannot find another job currently, is this Zulm on the part of the employer?

Is it permissible for him to take on clients on the side and complete work in the office and keep the compensation for that? What if he pays for his own supplies such as papers, pens, etc?