Hiring and Renting

Doing personal work during work hours

Q: I want to ask question about the personal work on job timings.

I have been working in a university as a software developer. During the job timing I'm working on my own work. Because the total university work that I got takes me only 2-3 days. The rest of the month I am free.

Can you please tell me the work that I have done during my job timing is haraam or halaal?

Four people staying in a room which was booked for two people

Q: I stayed with friends at a rented accomodation where in the agreement, only 2 people are allowed to stay each night for around 100$ per night. However, we lied to the owner and agreed that only 2 people will stay while actually 4 people stayed. We didnt think this was wrong since we would only use the accomodation for sleeping and wanted to save money. So technically we broke the agreement and cheated the owner.

What is the best way to fix this as we are afraid that in the akhirah, we will be punished, since we used his property not according to the agreement. If we reach out to him, he may take action against us so we are afraid. Could we pay him the money for the 2 extra people (we assume it will be 50$ per night per person) and give it to him anonymously? Or can we just donate this amount to chairty because we are afraid to tell him.

Paying a fixed rate for electricity

Q: Is it permissible to enter into a fixed plan with ones energy supplier? By fixed plan I mean entering into a contract to pay a fixed price per kWh for any gas/electricity used during the coming year. The alternative is to remain on a variable plan, which means that the price of the gas/electricity fluctuates depending on market prices.

Renting out a house to a Hindu

Q: We have given a portion of our house on rent as it is very big and very difficult to clean and maintain. Our tenant, who is a Hindu, does his prayers according to his beliefs. I want to know whether it is permissible or not as the building is the same but the portion on rent is totally separate.

Cancelling accommodation

Q: I currently live in a hostel. I talked to another hostel owner to book a room. He kept a room for me for over 4 days and he denied other people who wanted that room. Now in the morning, the current hostel warden showed me another room with fewer charges and I decided to stay in the current hostel and not to shift. Now, if I stay, did I go against my word (wada khilafi)? I am feeling extremely guilty and I am starting to worry about my beliefs because of the backing out. Can I just say sorry and give some fine?