payment

Q: I have been for 2 driving tests and have failed on both tries. Due to not offering a bribe. I am now told that this is a problem countrywide and that the only way to get it is to solicit a bribe. Multiple family members of mine in my area as well as certain aalims family have done this out of desperation. I however would like to know the position on this matter. I am aware that it is illegal in the state.

It can be assured that I am a proper driver and not a hazard on the road. The only reason for looking at this avenue is due to the corruption being so widespread that this seems the only way to obtain my rights. Although it is morally hazardous, please advise me the Muslim viewpoint on this matter bearing in mind that it is out of desperation due to no other options.

Q: I am working as a madressa aapa. The person who employed me is old and sometimes forgets to pay me for up to 3 months. I don't mind, and when he does sometimes he forgets a month etc. Someone told me that he will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement which I don't want as he is old and forgetful and also like a father figure to me. Do I just make duaa and ask Allah not to hold him accountable.

Q: I am currently working for my father whereby I am in a secluded office doing his book work. For this I earn a wage. My husband also earns a reasonable wage and my question is:

1. Should I, as the wife, pay for household necessities and groceries or is it the duty of my husband? Please bear in mind that my husband and I are newly married and I have not had the confidence to bring up money matters with him as yet.

2. How do I go about discussing this with him in a sensible manner?

Q: My questions are regarding haram earnings and investing it in education. I have learnt that investing haram money in a halal business is haram, and any remuneration is impermissible. This is what I understand.

1. If someone invests haram money in education by purchasing a course(s) that are permissible to study like language, science etc. and then they go on to study a degree also bought with haram earnings, will the knowledge that they acquire be permissible for them to use?

2. What is the status of the certificates and/or degree gained? Are these things haram for one who acquired them to keep or show employers?

3. And if he goes onto use this knowledge in a profession like medicine, teaching, engineering etc. will his earnings be haram? For example, he studies GCSE's, A-Levels, then goes onto study a degree in physics and then becomes a physics teacher after qualifying; will his earnings be haram after he spent haram earnings on all his previous courses?

Q: A supplier sold fabric to a customer and delivered it to him. The fabric has not been paid for by the customer and it is highly unlikely that the customer is in a position to pay due to his severe financial debts. Do the goods belong to the supplier or customer?

Q:

1. Is it permissible to read Quran with maqaamaat, that is, the tune which the Egyptian qaaris have adopted?

2. Is it permissible to listen to a qari who reads in this way?

3. Is it permissible to take a payment for reading qiraat?

4. Is it permissible to go to a qirat program where a qari charges for his recital?

Q: I work in the accounts dept of a company. We receive payments into our bank account from customers. Sometimes we receive payments but we cant trace who the money came from. After a few months if no one has come forward to claim the money we give it away in charity. My question is, can I give the money to a fellow employee of the same company who has some loans that they are unable to settle?

Is the answer the same if the employee is owing the loan to the company itself?

Q: I wish to sell items via an online platform, BidorBuy. Buyers make payment directly to Bidorbuy. They then make the funds available to the Seller for payout. Bidorbuy takes a 1.5% cut of the sale as a commission. As a Seller, I am allowed to choose which payment methods I can make available for potential Buyers. Please advise on their permissibility (questions 1 - 6):

1. BobPay EFT BobPay EFT is available to Sellers provided they can receive payout requests into a South African bank account. Bidorbuy receives the EFT transfer from the Buyer and the Bidorbuy account of the Seller is then credited with this amount, minus the bank fees charged by Bidorbuy (currently set at 5% per transaction).

2. BobBucks BobBucks are Bidorbuy vouchers. Buyers are able to purchase items using BobBucks from Sellers who offer BobPay EFT. As far as Sellers are concerned, the BobBucks voucher credit will be treated in the same way as a BobPay EFT. The funds are credited to the Sellers' Bidorbuy account and they may request a payout. BobBucks will automatically be offered alongside BobPay EFT as a payment option. If Buyers purchase items valued at more than the BobBucks voucher, they will need to pay a top-up payment using other payment methods. If they purchase items valued at less than the BobBucks voucher, the 'change' will remain in their BobBucks account for them to use the next time they choose to.

3. BobPay Credit Card The BobPay Credit Card payment system allows Sellers to accept credit card payments from Buyers. Bidorbuy receives the credit card payment and the Bidorbuy account of the Seller is then credited with this amount, minus the bank fees charged by Bidorbuy (currently set at 5% per transaction). Sellers should note the risk of charge backs. The Seller ultimately takes the risk for reversal of the transaction in case the credit card was used fraudulently (a charge back can take place up to 180 days after the transaction).

4. Discovery Miles Buyers with Discovery Miles (which they earn with their Discovery Credit card) can shop on Bidorbuy and pay for items from Sellers that accept Discovery Miles.

5. PayLater PayLater facilitates loans up to R8000 through a third party registered credit provider. PayLater is only available to selected Sellers with a good track record on Bidorbuy. As soon as the Buyer's loan is approved, the funds will be matched to the relevant order in the Seller's Bidorbuy account.

6. Escrow service This involves using a trusted agent who keeps the money until the Buyer signals that the payment may be released to the Seller. Should there be any dispute, then the escrow company intervenes returning the money to the Buyer after the goods have been returned to the Seller, if applicable. This method is rather costly for Sellers and is occasionally used for high value transactions.

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7. As a Seller, I have to request a payout of the money in my Bidorbuy account. May I withdraw money in this manner, it is the only option:

Payout Requests

In order to withdraw funds that Bidorbuy is holding in your Bidorbuy account, you are required to make a payout request from the Bidorbuy website. Users have 1 free payout in a calendar month, regardless of the amount requsted. Thereafter a R5.00 BobPay transfer fee will be charged for any payout amount under R3,000.00. For amounts over R3,000.00, no BobPay transfer fee will be charged. If a user has used their 1 free payout and requests another payout below R3,000.00, the R5.00 BobPay transfer fee will be charged. If a user has R5.00 in their account, the system will not process the payment if a BobPay transfer fee is applicable.

A user can also not request less than R5.00 as a payout.