Business and Dealings

Q: How to get rid of haraam money? Should I give this money to poor or needy relatives?

Q: In India we have to pay house tax every year, so can we pay this tax using interest (riba) money?

Q: We live in a dangerous area in Cape Town, lots of gangsterism, drugs, violence and we often have home break in. We earn below average income and can't afford to replace goods when stolen during break in. Is it permissible to have home insurance in this case?

Q: An online job involves classifying various images into appropriate product categories. One is presented an image and has to select the appropriate category. For example, an image of an iPhone is shown and one has to select the 'Electronics - Mobile Phones' category. Images for haraam items to classify also appear, such as TVs, video game consoles, alcohol, musical instruments, etc. Furthermore, animate images do often appear with the product for classification; one has to look at the animate image in order to classify the product. For example, the image of an attractive woman wearing a gold necklace (where the necklace must be classified). Or classifying a Milo tin that has an animate image on the packaging. One is paid a predetermined amount for each image classified. Please advise:

1. Is this classification of animate images permissible?

2. Is this classification of haraam products permissible?

3. Is any income haraam and Waajibut Tasadduq?

Q:

1. If a person has haram income (drugs money, interest money, money claimed through fraudulent activities, etc.) will Hajj and Zakat be Fardh on him based on that income?

2. If it is not Fardh and he still performs it, will the obligation be uplifted or not?

3. Will it be necessary for him to perform Hajj again with Halal income in the future?

Q: I have some land and a house which was bought with mixed, lawful and unlawful money. At present, I have no business and no money on hand. Moreover, I took some unconditional loan from my relatives. That loan is still due. Now I wish to sell the land and repent because I want to go for Hajj. What is the ruling for repentance?

Q: I work as an interpreter in hospitals in Delhi. Foreigners come for treatment and the hospitals give me some percent of investigation that patients have done for treatment. I asked several people who have the responsibility for marketing about additional charges when a patient comes through an interpreter. They all answered that the fee is the same when they come directly. Is it halal for me or not, if not please explain halal ways of earning as an interpreter?

Q: My older brother is the head of the household and he makes most of the financial decisions for me. A while ago he made me apply for a loan that I would have to pay interest on. Now that I know that paying interest is haram, I've tried hard to convince him to cancel the loan and even told him about valid Islamic sources to show that it is a grave sin. He simply said that we're in a tough situation and I need the loan to go to college so exceptions have to be made. And he went on to add, "These online muftis don't know the difficulties our family goes through to put bread on the table." I'm in a situation where I have no control in returning the loan before interest starts accruing on it since he has control over the bank account. I fear that my family will lash out at me and maybe even cut family ties from me for putting them through difficulties for my own beliefs since they don't follow Islam as closely as I do. I'm very scared of the consequences I will have to face for letting him force me into taking a loan in which I will pay riba on. Please let me know of any way to deal with this sin that I see no way of avoiding. I would even pay 10 times the amount in sadaqa as I took in the loan (later on in my life) if I have to.

Q: My question is about indirect bribing. Someone needs help with money to bribe his boss to give him back his job. But if I give this person money does that mean that I am also assisting with bribing? Although this person promised me he'll give my money back after he'll be able to earn.

Q: If a person loads airtime on his phone and receives some free airtime, can this free airtime be used to enter competitions (e.g. competitions found on food packets, etc.) via SMS or phone calls?