Business and Dealings

Q: I need clarification on giving good paid reviews to a website. 

The previous week one individual from UK reached me on WhatsApp to start working on a website called intrepid travelling links. I worked about 3 hours giving reviews to the site. They pay us using bitcoin which we will convert to our local banks. I think the company pays for good reviews to boost their ratings. Is it halal? 

By giving reviews. Should I use it. Continue work or leave it. Reviews are given after using company services but they do this way. Should I use it regularly. Or I should work and spend the money on needy people? Kindly share as per Shariah.

Q: I have to visit KSA to conduct a workshop with customers and vendors. Customers and vendors requested to do workshops on weekends so we can save time and go to Umrah within this time line and requested to pay the same amount that will be saved by reducing the time of workshops and hotel accommodations so that we can manage our expenses for Umrah. 

I requested the company for this favor, and the company approved it for the vendor and customer, but when asked for myself, they replied, "we will book a hotel for as per your request and grade limit." When I checked with the relevant person, he told me your limit is 300 AED for a single night. You can book by yourself by booking online and share the booking receipt, and we will pay you. I have calculated that amount and now want to go with another hotel that has a lower rate, some 150 AED, and the rest amount will be used for travel and food during Umrah. Maybe some money can be saved by this. 

Can you please guide me? Is this halal or haram?

Q: 

1. How do I return money to someone I stole from. I've made taubah over many years and it's not a big amount (under R600) but I'm embarrassed to tell this person as it's a scholar and it may cause this person to distrust me (and I'm not untrustworthy as it was a genuine mistake that I've truly atoned for) and cause disgrace on my family (who are scholars). How can I return it without him knowing I stole it because I don't even live in the same city anymore and I'd have to give the money to a family member who still resides in his city? Is it possible for me to give out the money in charity on his behalf with no expectation of reward and solely give it in his name? 

2. Also with regards to having old textbooks from over 20 years ago from primary school, I forgot to return and a T-square from high school my principal borrowed me which I forgot to return all those years. How can I make up for that amaanah?

Q: If a person does not own any products, he cannot sell them according to the hadith. But what will be the ruling for customized products which are made on order? 

For example, furniture, customized packagings, custom business cards, custom printed clothes and many other things which are made only on order. These things cannot be kept in stock, because every product is made as per customer's requirements. Such products are neither with the seller nor with any factory. Because such products can be made only when the customer places the order, as per customer's requirements. 

So my question is whether I can take the order from the customer as per my price and give it to the factory? And can I take the full money from the customer in advance? Please clear my doubt.

Q: I live with my mother who is mentally and physically abusive to me and my siblings. Last year, she broke my nose, she has called me ugly and stupid and worthless my whole life. She pushes me to do things that are detrimental to my mental health - like marrying someone 11 years older or getting into med school. 

I want to leave my household and make a life for myself so that I don’t constantly feel suicidal and can do some good in this world. But in order to leave, I must apply to programs that I do not have the qualifications for - there is a program that requires me to have one year work experience and I only have 6 months. 

Even though I do not want to lie, I was wondering if it might be permissible for me to do so in this situation just to help my chances of getting out my house?

Q: Regarding online trading, be it a commodity or currency, it is been said that it's not permissible based on both exchanges being deferred and if 1 exchange is deferred and the other is not then is it permissible? 

Can you explain further what is meant by deferred exchanges?

Q: I am a housewife/stay at home mother. 

My husband is doing his aalim studies and does not work, thus he does not have a set income. However, he is not zakaatable and neither am I. 

Is it permissible for us to apply for the Sassa Grant which is R370 per month?

Q: Alhamdulillah, I have a job offer, but I am not sure if it is Islamic. 

The working hours are 48 hours per week. I queried as to how many hours per day, I was told it is a 6 day a week job with the amount of hours per day, the timings and the number of shifts per day left up to the discretion of the employer. 

My question is, is this arrangement permissible in Islam? Is it permissible for me to take up this job offer?

Q: I wanted to know the Share'ee ruling on "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" deals that many merchants offer in their stores. 

For example, buy 1 case of water, get 1 free. Or buy 1 cellular line and get 1 free. These are offers that are conditional on a purchase of 1 item at least. They're usually incentives to get the customer to buy them for various reasons (they want to remove the item from their shelves, or it's a sales/marketing strategy, or simply a competitive deal in a free market). Is such a deal permissible for the buyer, or is this considered riba? 

Another type of deal that's similar is buying a certain quantity to get a better deal than buying 1. For example, 1kg of tomatoes is RS 50 but 2 KG is 40 (a savings of RS 10). Is such a deal permissible for the buyer?

Q: I have recently heard of a new venture many of our Muslims are going into, it is the trading of gold on the forex market. I wanted to find out if it is permissible and if so then how, as no physical exchange of ownership takes place, and also if you own an item although it can depreciate in value it won't cease to exist as is what happens on this gold market.