Business and Dealings

Bank dropping off service fees if a certain amount is kept in one's account

Q: I have opened an account in a bank and it offers a free ATM card. One of the features is that if you keep Rs. 25000 in your account then whenever the amount falls below 25k, a certain amount gets deducted on each transaction u make in that month in which the total balance was below 25k. Is it permissible to use such a bank account ?

It is not a saving account but free services like ATM, bankers cheque, sms banking are provided if a certain amount i.e. Rs. 25000.

Round Tripping

Q: Many businesses today engage in something called “round tripping”. What they do is purchase goods, thereafter they mark the goods for export and claim the vat back, while the actual goods are not exported but are instead sold locally.

From my understanding, in the process, there are lies spoken (lying to suppliers by saying that the goods are going over the border), bribes are given (a payment is made to border officials and revenue officials to stamp documents and release payments from the revenue services) and corruption is taking place. Is this practice allowed in Islam and is it permissible for us to purchase from these businesses?

Who pays the transfer charges in terminating a partnership in properties?

Q: Six brothers are in partnership in a portfolio of various properties. One of the brothers would like to exit. He would exit by taking his equal share in the form of properties. This would incur capital tax gain payments to the tax authorities and transfer and stamp duty payments. From a Shar’ee point of view, who would be liable for capital tax payments and transfer and stamp duty costs? Would it be the buyer (the brother exiting) or the sellers (the remaining five brothers)?

Reselling an item at a higher price

Q: My husband is working in a private Afghan company that stores oil for America. Sometimes the Americans ask my husband for some goods like paint, furniture or other things. My husband asks the price from the shopkeeper and buys the goods then gives the goods with an increased price to the Americans.

For example, the furniture price is 300 dollars and my husband gives the price as 500 dollars, even the Americans know the real price but they accept the price that my husband gives.

I told my husband that this money is haram but he says that I am not their employee, I work for another company. They ask me to buy goods for them and I give them a quotation then they buy it. This is business. I don't directly tell them that I increased the price but they know. They accept it because they trust me and they need one person to do their work for them since they can't directly buy those things. I spend my time and effort for them in getting those things so the money is not haram. Kindly tell me whether the money my husband charges them is haram or halal. 

Charging the customer a penalty on late payment

Q: What can a company do to customers who default in their credit payments?

1. Can a company charge them a penalty for exceeding their credit term? If not, what are the Shar’ee alternatives?

2. Sometimes, customers who exceed credit terms request proofs of deliveries again, although an invoice was sent to them with the delivery. Can a company charge them for this, just as Fnb and any other bank charges for producing a statement over 3 months old?