Trade

Q: I would like to know what is the ruling on extended warranty. My brother bought a fridge and he paid extra to get the warranty for 2-3 years more than what they give it for.

Q: I want to start a website where people can download books for free. Normally, we download books from other websites and upload on our website. People come and download the books. My questions are:

1. Is it permissible to make books available for free download without the permission of the authors?

2. Downloading books from others and making soft copies of your own seems wrong. Is it a sin?

3. Is the money made from such a business haraam?

Q: I m Planning to Do a Mineral Water Distributor/Dealer Business. Is it permissible to do this business because it includes selling of Bottles to customers?

Q: I am aware that in Shari’ah, it is not permissible to charge anything for goodwill. However, I was told that if you attribute the same excess to the ‘shop fittings’ figure for example, it will now become permissible. Is this true? How can it be permissible when the purchaser, seller and the receiver are fully aware that this inflated figure is not a true reflection of the shop fittings figure?

Q: I have old 50 cent and R1 coins which I collected over the years. Is it permissible to sell these coins for a price more than the face value? It has become a collector’s item and has more value in the collectors’ market.

Q: Person B sees advert of person A, and a successful transaction takes place. Upon person B receiving the goods, he notices that the contents do not match what was advertised. After querying from person A and requesting a refund, person A claims to have been scammed by person A's supplier (who has since disappeared) and refuses to refund person B. Who is responsible and who should suffer a loss? Keeping in mind that person A had failed to check the contents after receiving it from his supplier.

Q: I intend to purchase a car that has a warranty. The dealer offered to extend the warranty by 5 years for an additional amount of R3000. The warranty covers towing and fixing if the car breaks down and replacement of parts. I notice that the policy is with an insurance company. Is this acceptable?

Q: Most of my cosmetics contain cetyl alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is used in the cosmetic industry as an opacifier in shampoos, or as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions. It is also employed as a lubricant for nuts and bolts. Is it permissible to sell items with this ingredient?

Q: Is it permissible to trade currencies online. Funds are deposited into an account and the funds are then used to buy or sell currencies. Once the
currency fluctuates, you do the same.

Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim to manufacture and sell coffins?