Q: I live in India and here Hindus have very different traditions like in front of the shops they smash some kind of fruits and lemons and coconuts and keep them at the corners of the entrance. So my question is am I allowed to go inside that shop and am I allowed to buy food products from that shop and I have also seen that shop has pictures of their idols and they do pooja over there. So sometimes used to eat from that shop. Was that haram and najis?
Q: My question is regarding my university tution. I have paid the first semester fee which was 4000 euros, and events occurred just before the second semester began which led me to consider my place at the university institute I was in. I therefore spent the first few weeks of the second semester pondering over what to do next, before eventually deciding on staying. During that time, the deadline for second semester payments had passed and the university began charging late fees, and I was aware that this would be the case before the deadline; however I wasn't aware until after the deadline had passed that the charging of late fees was equivalent of riba. I will try and speak with someone at the university to Insha Allah reduce the fees to a normal price, but if after speaking with an individual at the university and being refused my request, I paid the late fee, would I be sinful for doing so?
Q: I go to university and the university have said that the fees for the second semester will be 4000 euros, and they announced a deadline by which the money had to be paid by, and they said that anyone wishing to pay the money after this period of time would have to pay 4000 euros and a small percentage of the original fee on top, and the extra fee that will be paid will increase every day after the deadline day. So for example, if I paid three days over the deadline the university would charge me 4003 euros and if I paid 7 days I would be charged 4007 euros and 8 days would be 4008 euros etc. If i was to pay after their deadline, would this considered to be riba, despite the fact that I am not borrowing money from a bank to pay the fee?
Q: Is it permissible for me to sew a dress with short sleeves for a female customer, even though it is possible that she will wear it in front of non mahrams?
Q: If a person is in need of a car and he does not have cash in hand and buys the car through a bank loan, then he pays the bank the EMIs (which have interest). Is it permissible in Islam?
Q: Is Web Hosting, Web Design and Devlopment service permissible? Is it permisible to desgin and devlop news media websites where they will put all
news stories and pictures?
Q: Can I purchase a vehicle through ABSA Islamic Finance or through any other banks Islamic facilities?
Q: Is claiming from the road accident fund (RAF) permissible?
Q: I wrote a poem describing a scene of nature that I submitted to a large (non-Muslim) poetry competition. I came second place and have won R500. My poem will also be published in a poetry collection that will be distributed. There was no entrance fee for this competition. (1) Is the money I have won permissible? (2) Is it correct for me to get into these things - albeit not seriously and only occasionally - for perhaps some part-time income etc.? This would include writing poems, short essays, descriptive passages on nature, the rain, the environment, the effects of pollution and similar topics. Maybe these topics have some Deeni benefit and are not futile. I do not know. I think I am quite good in writing on these things as well. Please help me and correct my understanding.
Q: I intend opening a hajj account with a certain Islamic bank. The money invested will earn a profit every year. Is this profit permissible? The conditions for opening the hajj account from the bank are as follows:
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is compulsory for all those who can afford such a pilgrimage. No single event in the life of a Muslim is more spiritually uplifting and rewarding than to embark on the journey of Hajj. The Hajj Investment Scheme helps to turn your pilgrimage dream into a reality. What are the benefits you will enjoy?
• Investments earn profits
• Eligibility to enter a sponsored airfare draw
• A gift when leaving for Hajj
• In-house foreign currency facility
• Free Travellers Will
What qualification criteria apply?
• A minimum deposit of R100 is required to open the account
• Funds earn profits in terms of a pre-agreed profit sharing ratio
• Benefits are only extended to those proceeding for Hajj/Umrah irrespective of the term of investment