Business and Dealings

Taking back gifts after a divorce

Q: My husband has issued me with 2 talaaqs. I am currently at my parents house in iddat, as we have not reconciled. My husband is demanding that I return all the gold to him (some were given as mahr and this is documented on the marriage certificate, some was gifted to me by my husband during the duration of our marriage and some he has gifted to my daughter). I have paid zakaah on this gold over the years. Who is the rightful owner of the gold?

Push present

Q: I wanted to know about "push present" which is a gift from a husband to his wife for her giving birth of the child. It is usually called "push present" because the wife pushes the baby out. Is a push present allowed in Islam? The wife usually expects a gift from the husband because she has suffered nine months and labour as well. Is it ok for her to seek a gift from her husband?

Loaning money on interest

Q: Could you please explain to me what is interest, riba and usury. If one has the talent to do a halal business (by Allah) and no money, and other has money but he can't do business, the one who is giving the money to the first person for the business and asking him to give a profit of 50% and at last he should return his money. Does this come under interest/riba/usuary. If yes then how should the business situation be dealt with. What does one do if one did that, and falled in a loss.

Accumulating interest money

Q:

1. Is it permissible to use interest earned on a bank account to donate to charity?

2. If so, can you then invest the interest earned into a separate bank account so as to let it accumulate so an even bigger amount can be donated in charity?

3. If not, what are some of the many ways in which one can dispose of interest received?