Interest and Gambling

Gambling

Q: I used to play cricket but I want to ask that some of our team boys gamble on every match. I don't, but I want to know that is it good to play in such a match where two players are gambling? They don't demand any money from us. 

Paying interest due to late payment

Q: My question is regarding my university tution. I have paid the first semester fee which was 4000 euros, and events occurred just before the second semester began which led me to consider my place at the university institute I was in. I therefore spent the first few weeks of the second semester pondering over what to do next, before eventually deciding on staying. During that time, the deadline for second semester payments had passed and the university began charging late fees, and I was aware that this would be the case before the deadline; however I wasn't aware until after the deadline had passed that the charging of late fees was equivalent of riba. I will try and speak with someone at the university to Insha Allah reduce the fees to a normal price, but if  after speaking with an individual at the university and being refused my request, I paid the late fee, would I be sinful for doing so?

Charging an extra fee for late payment

Q: I go to university and the university have said that the fees for the second semester will be 4000 euros, and they announced a deadline by which the money had to be paid by, and they said that anyone wishing to pay the money after this period of time would have to pay 4000 euros and a small percentage of the original fee on top, and the extra fee that will be paid will increase every day after the deadline day. So for example, if I paid three days over the deadline the university would charge me 4003 euros and if I paid 7 days I would be charged 4007 euros and 8 days would be 4008 euros etc. If i was to pay after their deadline, would this considered to be riba, despite the fact that I am not borrowing money from a bank to pay the fee?

Writing poems

Q: I wrote a poem describing a scene of nature that I submitted to a large (non-Muslim) poetry competition. I came second place and have won R500. My poem will also be published in a poetry collection that will be distributed. There was no entrance fee for this competition. (1) Is the money I have won permissible? (2) Is it correct for me to get into these things - albeit not seriously and only occasionally - for perhaps some part-time income etc.? This would include writing poems, short essays, descriptive passages on nature, the rain, the environment, the effects of pollution and similar topics. Maybe these topics have some Deeni benefit and are not futile. I do not know. I think I am quite good in writing on these things as well. Please help me and correct my understanding.

Taking a profit against a loan

Q: Is Islamic banking across GCC correct? they are referring to profit rate for car loan etc. Is this the same as interest? Am I safe to purchase a car through Islamic banking profit rate that they are referring. Bank says it is as per Shari'ah. Please help to sort this doubt as I am about to purchase a car and since I cannot afford full payment, I am preferring Islamic banking. Will I be in danger?