Business and Dealings

Using money that was given to one to keep as an amaanat (trust)

Q: I would like to find out about some money someone gave me to look after.

Now I have used some of it for myself and haven’t told them. But in my mind I know that I have it and will return it when they ask for it. Is this ok, or should I have asked their permission before using it?

Also, I have put some of the money in an Islamic bank which gives some profit. My question is do I have to give them the profit as well as the money they lent me or just what they originally gave? 

Buying a car that was named after a zodiac sign

Q: Is it permissible to buy cars made by Ford as they have a car named “Taurus” which is the name of a zodiac sign. The company probably kept the name on the constellation of stars or name of zodiac sign. I don't know if people associate it with the zodiac signs or not.

Would it be permissible to buy this car (Taurus) from this company or any other car from this company (Ford) ?

Company charging staff for damaged goods

Q: A company charges staff for goods damaged by staff. It is either damaged by mistake or due to negligence. Staff are required to pay the full retail value of the item. The staff cannot take the item away. It is either sold off at a reduced value to another person. In some cases where the company can, they return the item to the supplier for a credit.

What is the shar'ee ruling in this regard?

Manager creating a position for a person he likes in the company

Q: If a manager creates a position to do some work in a company (in which he is employed) when he knows that there is no need for such work, and appoints a person he likes or favours on this position, and the appointed person knows all this (what the manager has done), will the appointed persons salary be halal or haram although he is doing what is stipulated in his contract?

Price change in an item that was ordered

Q: A Muslim company confirmed the price of a product with me at R1800. They said stock will come in a few months.

A few months later the product comes and they say I must pay R2200. I said that you confirmed the price at R1800. The company says that price was then, and now it changed because of USD exchange rate. But previously he confirmed R1800 and never mention USD exchange rate.

I waited months to buy it from them and did not inquire elsewhere because they confirmed the price and my order at R1800.

Please advise:

(1) Is their action as above permissible?

(2) If permissible, is it in conformity with Islamic values? I am annoyed because I waited to buy it from them specifically at their confirmed price. I could have bought it elsewhere all these months.

Purchasing airtime advance

Q: Is it permissible to take out airtime advance with networks such as Vodacom and MTN?

Your account gets credited with airtime and you don't pay right away, but you are charged an extra service fee to get the airtime as you do not have to pay for it right away?