Business and Dealings

Q: Kindly tell me what is the Islamic ruling on network marketing (MLM)? 

Q: Someone was debating with me a while ago and said “ why do you Moulana’s etc drive cars because the place where you purchase the vehicle from - e.g. Toyota - are in backdraft of over millions, owing other companies money, etc. Will it be haraam to purchase this car.

They also gave the example that why do we buy from checkers etc, if we know that the money they are buying their goods with is Haraam.

What is the answer to these two questions?

Q: I am a pharmacist who owns a retail pharmacy and would like to know the shariah ruling on stocking and selling the following types of medication:

1. Tablets and capsules containing porcine and non-certified bovine gelatin. 

2. A number of medicines which contain alcohol as a major part of ingredients and many which contain alcohol as a preservative.

3. Medicines which contain ingredients which people can become addicted to e.g. codeine-based products like pain killers, etc.

4. The permissibility of transacting with patients on medical aid.

5. The sale of contraceptive pills and morning after pills to prevent conception.

Q: Is it permissible for a clinic to hire a doctor in this way that he will be paid a stipulated sum of money for each clinic session, regardless of whether any patient is seen or not?

Q: Is indulging in politics halaal in Islam especially in a democratic country?

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: A Muslim business has already taken out insurance on their fleet of vehicles.

Is it permissible for a Muslim to do the accounting records and related calculations for this insurance which they have already been taken out? For example, he will have to calculate the total insurance premium for all the vehicles, cross-check and ensure that the insurance records are correct, etc. The Muslim will be working for the business itself and will be in no way related to the insurance company.

Q: I'm a software engineer and there is a website called github.com. Its a website for saving and downloading software codes. Its so popular because of the high quality that pretty much everyone in the entire industry is using it. It even acts as a software engineer's resume. Its a huge website but the problem is that it has a couple of programs that some people decided to give names like thor and god. The company nike is a similar issue. However, one can avoid nike but avoiding github.com is impossible in this industry. What is a Muslim to do in this situation? 

Q:

1. Is it haraam to sell a lunchbox or plastic packets that have a picture of a cartoon character on them?

2. Is the income from this haraam?

3. If so, and I have already sold them, what should I do?

Q: I am a plumber and electrician by profession. I would like to know what things will make my money haraam e.g. lying to a customer, cheating, etc. I seem to be having a problem on every job I do. Could you please advise me how should I conduct with my clients?