Business and Dealings

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. 

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?

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?

Q: Is working as a timetable planner within a rail freight company permissible? I’m not sure if they handle haraam goods. The company is GB Rail Freight. Is it better to avoid?

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?

Q: Is it permissible in Islam to research banking and financial sector? I am currently researching how bank management and governance structures influence the profitability of banks. I also want to publish my research paper at the end. Is it halaal or haraam?

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?

Q: Yusuf is going shopping. So his friend Umar asks Yusuf to buy something for him and he will pay Yusuf later. Yusuf ends up getting a big discount.

Must Umar pay him the normal price or the discounted price?

Q: Whenever I take my son (2.5 years old) to the mall with my family for shopping, he always tantrums and cries to buy expensive cars (500 USD). If I have to take a small cheap car for him, he is never satisfied and sometimes he reminds me at home with a sad face. Alhamdulillah, my financial position is sound and I can afford to buy it. What is the Islamic ruling?

Q: Please advise on the following:

A Muslim optometrist is having a problem with unqualified people smuggling fake designer frames into the country. These people send their customers to professional optometrists for eye tests and they ask for a script. Then they have their glasses made at a reduced cost by the "pirate" dealer.

Is it Islamically correct to have these types of crooks reported to the authorities? Some are Muslims and some are Non-Muslims.