Business and Dealings

Q: There is a platform where you earn money by engaging with social media—liking and following users on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Every day, you're given a set number of simple social media tasks (such as following a profile or liking a post), and you're paid for completing them. 

When you first join, you're required to purchase a package—this is often referred to as an "exam" or "activation" package. The size of your daily task quota (and potential earnings) depends on the package you choose. For example, if you buy a package worth around $550, you'll receive 7 tasks per day. More expensive packages generally unlock more tasks and higher daily earnings. 

You can also boost your income through referrals. By inviting others to join CloudBoost, you earn a commission when they sign up and purchase a package. Additionally, when the people you invited start referring others, you earn a percentage of their activity as well—creating a multi-level earning structure. Is this pyramide scheme and therefore haraam?

Q: I am in company who is selling a product for 2300 and I am dealing with the employee of the company. He is telling me to make the invoice for 2400 and after the transaction has been made then give him secretly 100 dollars.  

Is this permissible for me to give secretly? 

Q: Earning halaal wealth using a laptop that was bought with haraam money. If haraam, does the profit money need to be given to that right owner?

Q: I work in a retail store. The owners intentionally mark up products by 50% because they expect customers to negotiate and ask for discounts. The actual intended markup is 20%. 

One day, a customer approached me about a product that had the 50% markup. I knew I had the authority to reduce the price down to the 20% markup. The customer said that if I gave him a discount, he would give me some money personally. I agreed, gave him the discount, and he gave me the money.

Q: I was told that on the day of Qiyaamah we will have to pay for our outstanding debts by giving our good deeds to that person. What if the person we owe money to is a non-Muslim? Will our good deeds go to him? What benefit will he get by getting our good deeds?

Q: Can I use medical insurance provided to me by the company that I'm working as an employee for my purpose ?

Q: Some stores mark products at a certain price but round off the amount. For example, the item is marked at R12.99 or R12.95, but they then round off the amount and sell the product at R13. There's no question of change. Is this permissible?

Q: My question relates to interest which was obtained unknowingly from my medical aids savings account. Can I use this money to pay it into my bond which generates a monthly interest fee.

Q: I humbly request your guidance and a detailed, evidence-based response regarding the following scenario: 

Our business sells pharmaceutical machines and occasionally encounters defective units. When a unit is defective, we explicitly inform potential buyers of the defect, share photos of it, and sell the machine at a discounted price. Despite being made aware of the defect, some clients later refuse to pay, citing the defect as the cause. Additionally, we sell various other electronic items through our online store. 

In light of this, we request clarification on the following points: 

1. Seller’s Obligation to Accept Returns: If the buyer refuses to pay or wants to return the machine on the basis of a disclosed defect, is the seller Islamically obliged to accept the return and refund the buyer? 

2. Application of Khiyar-ur-Ruyah: Does khiyar-ur-ruyah (the option to inspect goods before finalizing a sale) apply to pharmaceutical machines sold with clearly disclosed defects? 

3. Khiyar-ur-Ruyah in Online Sales: Does khiyar-ur-ruyah generally extend to products purchased online, where the buyer may only see images rather than physically inspecting the item prior to purchase? 

Q: Please could you advise me on this matter: 

I have a friend who wants to study actuarial sciences and I have heard that it is impermissible to go into this field.

Could Moulana explain whether it is impermissible or not and why? How should I advise my friend?