Various masaail of Business and Dealings

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?

Q: Recently a customer came to our shop. In the customer comments book he wrote that we should close our shop during Jumuah time as mentioned in the Qur'an as Allah will give us barakah if we close our shop. Is this correct? Is it permissible to trade Jumuah time?

PS: No Muslim staff are at the shop during Jumuah time. They all go to perform their salaah.

Q: My items are advertised online and then shipped to customers. I do not have a physical store. I therefore communicate with customers, potential customers, suppliers, distributors and so forth via correspondence. These are often woman, almost always non-Muslim, from all different countries. I am a male. Regarding communicating with woman for business purposes:

1. Is it permissible to use formal business formalities/etiquette in email? For example, to say: "Good morning", "Hope you are well", "I look forward to your response", "It is a pleasure doing business with you", "All the best", "Kind regards" and so forth.

2. Is it permissible to communicate with them via the more 'informal methods' like SMS / WhatsApp / BBM / Facebook Chat / Twitter Direct Messaging etc.? I am mostly contacted via these methods initially.

3. If Question 2 is permissible: Can one use more informal terms like "Hi", "Hello","Thanks" and so forth when communicating over those mediums mentioned in Question 2?

4. Is it permissible to phone them and speak over the phone when necessary? In all the instances above, everything will be kept to the point of need and related to the business.

Q: I do not stock a certain brand of permissible underwear products. When customers query regarding these products, I refer them to a non-Muslim competitor who stocks these brands. I have found out that this competitor is openly gay and has a husband. He also sells a number of lewd underwear products and gay lingerie. He does not have a physical store. His products are shipped to customers. Is it correct to refer people to purchase from such a person?