Business and Dealings

Q: I’m in a bit of a tricky situation. My dad has paid for my insurance (in UK where insurance is compulsory) which has been reduced because I have completed a driving scheme (pass plus) according to him. However, I haven’t completed it according to the rules. Thus can I still drive the car as my real insurance would be higher, meaning technically according to a driving instructor who works for the driving agency I haven’t completed it.

Q: With a lot of effort, I collected around $1500 for some civil work for an Islamic school. I left all my work for around a month and got all the work done under my presence. Some time I stood there for the whole night. Finally the whole work done was wondeful.

During this one month I earned nothing, kept away from my struggling business. In this case will it be allowed if I keep just $80 out of contribution for myself?

Q: My question is about gambling. In my country, we have something called Big Sweep.

How to play:
1. Buy a ticket at $3 each.
2. Draws on every first Wednesday of each month at 6pm.

Results:
If your ticket number matches any of the 133 winning seven-digit numbers drawn, you win a prize of at least $1,000 and up to $2.3 million. If the last two digits of your ticket number match any of the nine winning two-digit numbers drawn, you win $6.

Is this considered gambling? Many of my Muslim friends are playing. 

Q: Is it permissible for a person to borrow goods from someone for the purpose of selling, and when he receives similar goods, he will replace the goods?

Q: Where can I spend bank interest money, cashbacks, etc.? Can I donate this money to charity?

Q: My question is about the UK student loans. I took out the loan to go to university not knowing back then that it was haraam. The UK student finance does't require you to pay anything back until you earn above a certain amount. However it does start taking interest from day one of the loan being given. I have now started a job and will have to pay back the loan which is taken out of my salary every month. 

My question is whether it is better for me to try and save up and get rid of the loan as soon as possible or is it ok if I continue paying as it is as the loan gets wiped off after 30 years. Either way I am paying interest.

The first option means I get rid off my debt as soon as possible, whilst the second one means that I may end up not even paying back as much as I borrowed as the loan gets woed out after 30 years. Whilst pursuing the second option I would contribute more to charirty inshaAllah. I need advise on which path is better.

Q: Can I get my licensed disc/COR done via a contact and give him a fee for doing it?

I'm noticing everyone is doing this these days. From my understanding, this is illegal because if the car is not roadworthy you should not get a COR/disc because you need to fix your car according to the rules of the road, which you agreed to when acquiring your vehicle license.

The contact that does this "back door" will get you the documents regardless of the condition of the vehicle, fit or unfit for the road.

Q: I owe money to a person. In lieu of direct payment, I occasionally do some shopping on the creditor's behalf and thus reduce the amount I owe. What happens if I use my store benefit/loyalty points when shopping?

Example: total amount purchased R500. I used my loyalty point balance of R100 and total amount paid was R400. I occasionally also purchase items from this store for my personal use. Do I reduce the amount I owe by R500 or R400? In essence - who is entitled to the benefit/cash back reward from the store?

Q: It has become the habit with doctors that the time of the appointment made is hardly ever upheld. Despite an appointment having been made for a certain time, a patient is made to wait sometimes upto an hour longer. Is this correct? It creates much frustration and inconvenience. 

Q: I read in Behashti Zewar that it is not permissible for women to wear artificial rings.

1. Since I was unaware of this ruling, I already have many such rings that I used to wear. What should be done with those rings?

2. I have given rings as gifts to many women in the past and my jewellery business gave me profit from selling artificial rings. Will I be sinful for this? What should I do now?