Business and Dealings

Q: In certain fast food establishments, the staff are not paid wages. The staff survive on tips of the customers. Is this permissible in Islam?

Q: I’m an architect. I design residential buildings for my clients and take design consultancy in return. Yesterday, a marketing team visited me. They were selling LED lights. A single light costs $10. They offered me a discount of 20% if I recommend the lights to my clients. They also said that if I sell the light at full price to my clients, they will transfer the remaining 20% discount into my account. If I give a 10% discount to my clients, they will transfer the remaining 10% into my account. Also, it is in my authority to give a full 20% discount to my client. Is this arrangement permissible?.

Q: What is the ruling regarding restaurants that serve calamari, lobsters, crayfish and crabs? Although a Hanafi cannot eat these creatures, is it permissible for him to sell them in his restaurant, and what will be the status of his income?

Q: I work in a supermarket where I have to handle alcohol products such as cases of wine, beer, etc. Sometimes, the products also break and leak onto our clothing. I have requested not to work in this area as I understand that handling and being involved in the transportation process of alcohol is forbidden according to the Hadith. The company requires some confirmation and clarification on this matter. I would be very grateful if you can clarify that this is haraam for a Muslim, as I need to prove to the company that I cannot work in such an area as a Muslim.

Q: I want to open a pizza shop where I will be selling bacon pizzas as well as beef and chicken pizzas made from haraam meat. I will not eat from the shop, but I will be selling these items. Is this permissible, and will my income be halaal?

Q:

1. I want to sell t-shirts with different country flags on them for the upcoming Soccer World Cup. Will it be permissible to sell these t-shirts?

2. What is the ruling on advertising products with videos of people using them? Sometimes, products need a video demonstration or a photo to show how to properly use them. What is a permissible way to do this?

Q: I received a job offer at a convention centre where small to large scale parties are held. Catering services are also offered. Menus may include alcohol and pork dishes. My job may include serving the food to the guests. I have no other job at this time. Can I accept this job?

Q: I work as an engineer and my job requires me to get quotes for items we need to purchase. I agree to a quote based on the price and the delivery date. For example, if I need to buy piping, I will get three quotes.

1. Quote A says our price is $10 per foot and we will deliver by May 5

2. Quote B says our price is $5 per foot but we will deliver by May 16

3. Quote C says our price is $2 per foot but we will deliver by May 28

I select, for instance, Quote A, and the terms are agreed upon. Now, sometimes a company misses the agreed upon delivery date.  If they miss the date by 1 or 2 days, we don’t have any problems, but sometimes, they miss the delivery date by 2 weeks or more. In this case, we tell the company that we will not pay the full price and that they must discount the price that was initially agreed upon because they did not meet the agreed upon delivery date. Is this permissible?

Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim to sell clothing made from pigskin e.g. gloves, shoes, etc.?

Q: My partner and I are planning on launching a mobile app for health conscious people. In the app, people will be able to review and rate healthy restaurants, gyms, sports gear, supplements, etc. Our revenue will mainly be through advertising for healthy restaurants, gyms and sports brands, etc. Some of the gyms here use music during workouts and some of them have male and female customers, even if both genders are not training in the same area or at the same time. We are not opening a gym, but we are providing a platform where people can review gyms in terms of quality, trainers, equipment, etc. and our revenue would partly come from gyms through them advertising on our app. Is this permissible?