Business and Dealings

Writing a fiction book

Q:

1. If a person wrote a book which is a mix of fiction and non fiction and they sell the book, is the money earned from that halaal?

2. If that same book has slight romance in it, will the money earned from it be halaal?

3. If that same book has swearing (which the readers will be warned of) then is the money earned from it halaal?

Suing a vet

Q: I went to a vet recently with a pet who needed treatment. Our pet fell from a 5 ft tall table during treatment and suffered internal bleeding and passed away the next day. The manager said that they will not charge us for hospital treatment as it was their fault. I understand this was an accident but I am hurt that the pet hospital did not do cpr and did not try harder. They did try though for free but they did not do cpr as they said we cant do this for free and I dont think they did the operation because we did not pay. The blood count of the pet was 10 percent and the pet had a seizure and stopped breathing but they refuse to do cpr for free. I am so upset we all are . 

1. Is it haraam to sue the vets for the accidental death of our pet even though this vet is a good person and helped our pet for many years? We had a good friendship with this vet until this accident. All my friends are angry and saying to sue him for letting the pet drop from the table. I feel guilty to sue and I dont want to because this man has been good in the past but I cant stop being upset as it was his fault for not telling me to hold the pet.

2. Did Allah take this pet from us or was it an accident that Allah did not plan? If Allah knew then did Allah punish me or did Allah free this pet from pain of disability and emotional pain from not being healthy?

Ordering items for someone who refuses to accept it after it arrives

Q: A lady (non-Muslim) wanted to order some dress samples through me and promised to pay the amount. Although I was not interested, as it is not what I do; yet, she insisted, so I managed some how and got those samples through someone else and also paid the custom clearence from my own pocket.

The lady in question decided to stop the business due to some medical condition and when the samples arrived, she refused to take them saying that she did not like those. I still had to pay the person who arranged those, who actually tried his best to give nice pieces. It was not possible for me to return those samples neither was it possible for the person who arranged those to sell them. Somehow this lady paid me an insufficient amount to which I again added some more from my pocket and gave to the person who arranged those.

I did not know that the lady will put me in a chaotic situation where my own money and goodwill will go. So now I am trying to sell those dresses at least to get rid of them.

My question is “should I return the money to that lady in case I succeed to sell them” or I am allowed to keep it as per Islam, to recover my own cost”? Personally I feel that I should give her even if I do not sell those, so that she does not get a bad impression of Muslims. 

Not seeing any barakah in one's wealth

Q: I’m a bachelor and I live with my friends in Canada. There are non-Muslims also living at our place. Ever since I’ve moved to this place I’m unable to save any of my earnings. Alhamdulillah, I earn well and donate sadaqa on a regular basis, and try to perform my prayers on time. However, I’m unable to save money since I moved here and it’s been more than 8 months. I’ve had no major expenses apart from my needs and living expenses. My non-Muslim friends always consume alcohol in the hall area. Does this reason impact on barakah or is there any other reason that I need to look into?

Disposing of interest money in one's bank account

Q: I have a savings account in a bank in India. Every 3 to 6 months different amounts of interest money is credited to my account.

1. Can I give this money to a poor man without seeking thawab?

2. Can I give it to repair or maintain the toilets in a masjid?

3. Can I use it for maintaining or cleaning the road infront of my house?

4. Can I use the interest money to maintain the minimum balance in my account?

5. Can I use the money to pay the annual bill collected for using the debit cards?

Slowing down one's electricity meter due to electricity being expensive

Q: I am using government electricity. The government charges on electricity are very unfair since the area where I stay is a bit of a rich people area. They charge us more whereas electricity in the surroundings/other areas is much cheaper. So thats why I decided to slow down my prepaid meter. Is it right/permitted in Islam?

Selling a toy which contains music

Q: We have recently received stock of an Islamic toy which we were unaware had music... The toy has many beneficial learning pages such as duas, surahs, Arabic alphabets, etc. but there is a button which plays nasheeds with musical instruments in the background.

Will it be permissible to sell such a toy? If the toy is sold with a note on how to remove the music and if the customer purchases it and chooses not to remove the music wire, will the seller be sinful?