Business and Dealings

Q: My father has purchased a property and is registering it on my name for his own tax reasons. I have to sign legal documents, etc. confirming my ‘ownership’ of this property. However, I will not be the actual owner of the property. I asked my father who really owns the property so that I would know for my own zakaat purposes and inheritance reasons. He replied that he owns the property (and he is thus the one paying zakaat on the rental income).

(1) Despite the property being in my name formally, who truly owns the property in Shari’ah?

(2) Who is responsible for paying zakaat on the rental income?

Q: I am 16 years old but I just wanted to ask about something. I have found money in my cupboard and I can't recall having any money or having put any money in my cupboard , it caught my eye. But I thought to myself maybe it is mine and a week later I bought something with it. I don't know what to do now? I am afraid to own up and say what I did and ask if it was anybody's here at home. What do I do about the money I used? What do I do with the change? Can I give it for sadaqah or can I maybe give it to one of my family members, maybe even my mother who might be in need of it?

Q: I wish to purchase a set of notes from a company. Once I make payment via EFT, they will send me these notes via email. There is thus no physical product being exchanged, or the ability for me to 'return' anything. The notes are just a document made on Microsoft Word. Is it permissible for one to buy and sell 'soft copies' in this manner?

Q: Bakr and Zaid are travelling in a foreign country. Zaid takes a loan of 100 USD from Bakr. Bakr makes the condition that when they return to South Africa, Zaid must not pay him 100 USD, but rather the equivalent of 100 USD in South African rands. The equivalent of the 100 USD will be based on a mutually agreed exchange rate decided by Zaid and Bakr when they return to South Africa. Is this type of transaction permissible?

Q: Is Islamic banking across GCC correct? they are referring to profit rate for car loan etc. Is this the same as interest? Am I safe to purchase a car through Islamic banking profit rate that they are referring. Bank says it is as per Shari'ah. Please help to sort this doubt as I am about to purchase a car and since I cannot afford full payment, I am preferring Islamic banking. Will I be in danger?

Q: What is a muwakkil?

Q: Is it a good idea that the husband and wife work together at the same workplace for the same company?

Q: I would like to know if the job as an accounting technician with the following duties is permissible or not:

Duties :

1. To prepare and examine vouchers.

2. To input and verify records.

3. To process payroll and arrange for payments of salaries and deductions.

4. To write cheques, seek signatures and ensure dispatch by registry.

5. To collect and examine revenue and make remittances to the bank.

Q: I am a Muslim web and graphic designer. I work for a non-Muslim company. Sometimes, I have to insert photos of the chairman in a speech text page and add other group photos of conferences in the bulletin. Since I am not the photographer or artist, will I be sinful? I will lose the job if I do not insert the photos.

Q: I intend purchasing some equipment. The normal price of the equipment is R180 000 and a warranty is given for two years. The company offers an extended warranty for a total of five years which costs an additional R30 000. Is it permissible to pay extra for the extended warranty?