Interest and Gambling

Q: Interest is considered to be a strong haraam and a grave sin, but isn't interest needed as a fundamental basis for starting a bank and being able to
hand out loans?

Q: Although bribes are prohibited in Islam the situation in my country is such that the government officials depend on bribes without which our work does not get done and we suffer the consciences of the work not getting done. In other words it is a ZULM on us from which we have no escape. Under these circumstances can one utilise interest money to overcome this situation. Please advice.

Q: I have made my life insurance for which I paid 100000 RS for 5 years but someone told me that it is against sharia to get insurance. Birla sun life insurance company have put my money in investment and my fund value is 565000 RS. I want to take my money out from the insurance company now my question is that profit of 65000 is valid and if it is not valid then can I take it from the insurance company and give to help my Muslim brother? If I pay it to my cousin who needs to get her kitchen done, can she use that money to build the kitchen?

Q: Recently, I bought something from a charity shop.  At the counter, the lady asked if I would like to be entered into a prize draw, for which the prize would be £4000. But to be entered for this one would have to give them £1. I agreed, as she told me that the £1 would go towards their charity. It was due to a nerve-racking morning that I was slow in realizing I had engaged in a kind of gambling, but the transaction had been completed and it was too late! What do I need to do now that this has been done? What should I do with the money if I win? (I doubt it, but just in case). Should I refuse to accept it and tell them I don't want it? Or if it is forced on me and I have to take it, should I give it away to an Islamic charity? With regards to the initial giving of £1 to enter the prize draw, I keep thinking that any salary I receive from work will remain unlawful until I take the same amount from my salary and donate this to (Islamic) charity to address any unevenness. Is this correct?

Q: Offering or accepting bribe is indeed forbidden in Islam. However there are times when one is really helpless and cannot gain one's right or avoid being subject to to injustice except through bribery. This question is on behalf of my friend. "I am running an export oriented industry for which water is most essential. My water flow meter's visibility has become quite dull for which I approached the concerned authorities to allow permission to me for purchase of new meter as I fear that the current meter reading is also not clearly visible. I have been asked to send this meter for testing which I have done but the officials demand bribe for giving the permission to me to purchase new water flow meter which is my right. Delays will put me to great losses in my business. My question is that under the above circumstances if I fulfil their unjust demands would I be committing the major sin and face Allah's Wrath?"

Q: My question is related to provident fund. I have resigned from my current job and inshaallah would be joining another company within short time. Till the time I resign I had no control on my provident fund money (as usual employer was deducting a portion of salary as PF) now due to resignation I have 2 options for the amount of money which is there in my PF account.

1. I can transfer my PF money to new account which will be maintained by my new company. This will give the benefit of compounded interest earned and going further if I complete certain years I will be getting additional pension benefits and tax savings.
2. I can withdraw the currently accumulated PF money and use it, through the new company I have to open new account starting with zero balance. Later as part of salary PF portion will be put in by company.

I have read that interest earned on PF is gift as employee does not have control (ikhtiyar) on the money deducted by employer, in above mentioned
options I feel that option-1 is like Voluntary PF as (due to resignation I have control or choice it to withdraw ) but considering the compounded
interest and other benefits im willingly putting my money to new employers new PF account and according to FIQH voluntary PF is not allowed.

Please guide me in the light of Quran and Sunnah to which of the option to choose from and whether transferring the PF money (option-1) will be haraam as it includes interest earning by choice.

Q: Is it permissible to use interest money to buy food for pets?

Q: I would like to know what is the sha'ree ruling on e-bucks. Many family people use it and I want to show them the sha'ree ruling.

Q: I live in a country were car insurance is required by law. If one does not have car insurance, they will be issued a citation until they attain the car
insurance. Is it permissible for one to have car insurance in this circumstance?

Q: Interest earned from a bank account can be spent on what and on whom? Please advise?