Interest and Gambling

Freeing oneself from interest dealings

Q: I am a married woman with two very young boys and a husband. I bought a flat before I got married and have a mortgage on it. So of course interest is involved. If I rent, I will not be able to afford it as I live in london and rents can be as high as 1000-1300 pounds a month on a two bedroom flat, which is what I would need with my boys. My husband and I both work 3 days each but my husband has been off sick for most part of this year so he gets a minimal wage each month. Statutory sick pay I think. In this case I need to know what to do Islamically. Do I continue paying my mortgage and ask Allah Subhana wa ta'aala for forgiveness? I wanted to sell it and try to buy a house as its not big enough for my family. I can try to get a re-mortgage on this flat and extend it or sell it and try to buy a house rather than a flat. This is really bothering me because I don't want a war with my creator.

Participating in a competion

Q: Is it permissible to take part in a competition where you have to buy an item and they ask you to sms a secret code inside the wrapper? Will this be regarded as gambling as you are paying towards the competition due to the fact that you first have to buy the item although it is selling at the normal price?

Dealing in interest

Q: You know banks pay you interest if you have account with them and if use credit card you also pay interest to a bank. So if you receive and give interest(riba) would you be in hellfire forever? Below words from Quran says forever. Trade is like usury, but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the Fire: they will abide therein (for ever). [2:275]

I thought only thing will put you in hellfire forever is shirk.

Cash prize draw

Q: To encourage consumers to complete an online customer survey can I offer them entry into a cash prize draw. 5 lucky respondents will get R1000 each for example. Is this permissible?

Medical insurance

Q: I had a question about a friend who sells his medication called Hydrocodone pain killer. He gets it for free under his insurance and sells it to relatives and friends to be used for pain killer? What's the ruling on that? 

Linking one's bank account with someone else's account

Q: Is it permissible for me to link my bank account with my father's bank account at the same bank which contains interest but I am not withdrawing any money neither am I depositing money from his account but just linking it? My account is interest free and the money in my account is not being shared with his money but the "link" is still there.  Is this permissible?