Business and Dealings

Working in the financial division of banks, etc.

Q:

1. Is it permissible to work as a financial manager or internal auditor at a conventional bank (like Absa, FNB, Standard Bank) or in the financial services division of a company whose main income is not derived from their banking division?

2. Is it permissible to work at investment banks like Rand Merchant Bank, Sanlam, Allan Gray, Investec, Old Mutual, etc.?

3. Is it permissible to work at insurance companies like Discovery, Outsurance, etc.?

Selling novels

Q: We have a bookshop selling Urdu and international novels. As you know there is romance in every novel. I want to know whether it is permissible to sell novels or not in Islam. Kindly reply in accordance with Qur'an and Ahaadith or some early scholars.

Using fake software

Q: If I have been using several versions of windows Operating systems (sometimes copies sometimes fake/cracked serial) shall I purchase individually all the copies I have used? Problem is I don't remember all the softwares I have used and for how much time I used them. Does it constitute as debt if I don't purchase all the versions of windows I have used? Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration.

Exposing the injustices of a company

Q: I worked for a debt collection agency in Qatar which dealt with defaulted Vodafone Qatar customers, my job was to collect money by calling them, my management was forcing me and everyone in the agency to abuse, threat and blackmail customers. I refused to do that hence the agency is terminating my contract and sending me back to my country, I have recorded some of these abuses made on my phone and if I send this to Vodafone UK, the company will lose their business, eventually close and lot of people will lose their jobs. Would it be right Islamically for me to do this as they are involved in illegal work or do I have to just forgive them and move on? Please shed some light this matter please.

Shares in a bank

Q: My employer had gifted me shares as part of a BEE structure. E.g. 1000 I was not asked to pay anything and the shares were free. The company gave me the shares at a price (say R50) and at vesting date the share price is (R100). The difference is for my personal benefit, say (R50), What is the ruling on such? The company is a bank. Is zakaat calculated on the price at which it was issued or at current market prices?