Boycotting the ways of the kuffaar
Q: Taking the current situation of the Muslims in Palestine into consideration, should we be boycotting items like Coke, etc.?
Business and Dealings
Taking a non-refundable deposit to special order an item for a customer
Q: In some businesses it is common practice to special order an item for a customer, when it is not in stock, by taking a non-refundable deposit, e.g., 25% or 50%. At times the following situations arise after the item is purchased from the supplier and it arrives:
1. The customer pays the balance and the sale is concluded.
2. The customer changes their mind and then wants a refund, which is refused because the item was specially ordered.
Is it permissible to conduct business in this manner?
Qnet
Q: I would like to enquire regarding the Shar’ee ruling of a certain business scheme that is currently being promoted in many places of this country and in other countries as well. The scheme operates under the name “Qnet.” I will explain how this scheme works through an example:
Zaid purchases a watch from Qnet for the amount of R40,000. However, this type of watch is normally sold for approximately R1,000 in the general market. The only reason why Zaid purchases this watch at such an inflated price is to gain entry into the Qnet business scheme and start earning profits.
Zaid then refers others (Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim) to also purchase a watch from Qnet at a similar inflated price. Once these individuals make their purchases of the watches, Zaid immediately receives a commission for referring them.
Subsequently, Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim each proceed to recruit five more individuals to the Qnet scheme. When these new recruits make purchases from Qnet, Zaid, as well as Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim, respectively, receive further commission based on these purchases. Though Zaid did not make any effort in getting the five more individuals to purchase and join Qnet, he receives a commission from their purchases.
Each of these five individuals will then get ten more people to purchase from Qnet. When these fifty new people purchase from Qnet, then Zaid, Bakr, Khalid and Qaasim as well as the five individuals respectively will receive commission from the fifty new people. This chain will continue down the line and those on top will continue receiving commission from the transactions that take place at the bottom, even though they do not make any effort.
Is participation in such a business scheme permissible in Islam?
Using interest money to pay transfer duties
Q: In the case of a transfer of ownership of a property, can interest be used to pay the transfer duties (to SARS)?
Selling collectable cards and video games
Q: Is it permissible to sell collectable cards, such as soccer cards, Pokémon, etc. Also video games disks, etc.
Selling scented candles and other scented products
Q:
1. I wanted to open a candle making business where I make scented candles and candles using resin and epoxy with pearls and stones for decoration. Is this permissible?
2. I also wanted to ask that my business will have everything to do with scents so sprays for the house and bamboo stick scents, candle massage oils and I’ll be selling to other companies like Checkers, YuppieChef and event planners to put as centre pieces for weddings. I would also like to do oud bars at weddings for customised weddings. I will also be selling ironing scents. Where, after the clothing is ironed it will be hanged and underneath it the bakhoor spoke will freshen the clothing. All of this will be from my home.
Please remember me in your special duas, May Allah grant me barakah and Aafiyah.
Opening a bank account in an Islamic bank and benefitting from their facilities online
Q: My question is regarding opening a bank account. I chose an Islamic Bank which had no offer if you open a bank account so it will not fall in riba. But some e-commerce sites associate with the bank and offer their card holders some offers like 10% discount. Now I see the bank I chose to open account in, most e commerce sites offer this to their card holders. If I open an account in this bank and the facility is available, will it be in the category of riba?
Charging someone for using one's food delivery account details
Q: Can I give my doordash account (food delivery account) to someone and he do food deliveries and at the end of the week I take my share and give the rest to him, because he's using my account?
Selling extended warranty included in the sale amount
Q: I have seen previous questions, about whether purchasing extended warranties which are a separate line item at the time of purchasing a product, are haraam.
Please advise if it is permissible to sell the same item, at different price points but the higher price point has a longer warranty? The warranty is not a separate line item.
Preparing an accounting system for someone selling insurance policies
Q: My friend’s father earns commission on selling insurance policies. I have been asked to prepare an accounting system to record all the income and expenses and will be compensated for it. Insurance includes both Islamic and conventional. Will my income be haraam or halaal?