Business and Dealings

Q: I would like to enquire regarding the Shar’ee ruling of a certain business scheme that is currently being promoted in many places of this country and in other countries as well. The scheme operates under the name “Qnet.” I will explain how this scheme works through an example: 

Zaid purchases a watch from Qnet for the amount of R40,000. However, this type of watch is normally sold for approximately R1,000 in the general market. The only reason why Zaid purchases this watch at such an inflated price is to gain entry into the Qnet business scheme and start earning profits. 

Zaid then refers others (Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim) to also purchase a watch from Qnet at a similar inflated price. Once these individuals make their purchases of the watches, Zaid immediately receives a commission for referring them. 

Subsequently, Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim each proceed to recruit five more individuals to the Qnet scheme. When these new recruits make purchases from Qnet, Zaid, as well as Bakr, Khalid, and Qaasim, respectively, receive further commission based on these purchases. Though Zaid did not make any effort in getting the five more individuals to purchase and join Qnet, he receives a commission from their purchases. 

Each of these five individuals will then get ten more people to purchase from Qnet. When these fifty new people purchase from Qnet, then Zaid, Bakr, Khalid and Qaasim as well as the five individuals respectively will receive commission from the fifty new people. This chain will continue down the line and those on top will continue receiving commission from the transactions that take place at the bottom, even though they do not make any effort. 

Is participation in such a business scheme permissible in Islam?

Q: In the case of a transfer of ownership of a property, can interest be used to pay the transfer duties (to SARS)?

Q: Is it permissible to sell collectable cards, such as soccer cards, Pokémon, etc. Also video games disks, etc.

Q: 

1. I wanted to open a candle making business where I make scented candles and candles using resin and epoxy with pearls and stones for decoration. Is this permissible? 

2. I also wanted to ask that my business will have everything to do with scents so sprays for the house and bamboo stick scents, candle massage oils and I’ll be selling to other companies like Checkers, YuppieChef and event planners to put as centre pieces for weddings. I would also like to do oud bars at weddings for customised weddings. I will also be selling ironing scents. Where, after the clothing is ironed it will be hanged and underneath it the bakhoor spoke will freshen the clothing. All of this will be from my home. 

Please remember me in your special duas, May Allah grant me barakah and Aafiyah.

Q: I have seen previous questions, about whether purchasing extended warranties which are a separate line item at the time of purchasing a product, are haraam. 

Please advise if it is permissible to sell the same item, at different price points but the higher price point has a longer warranty? The warranty is not a separate line item.

Q: My friend’s father earns commission on selling insurance policies. I have been asked to prepare an accounting system to record all the income and expenses and will be compensated for it. Insurance includes both Islamic and conventional. Will my income be haraam or halaal?

Q: There is a platform where you earn money by engaging with social media—liking and following users on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Every day, you're given a set number of simple social media tasks (such as following a profile or liking a post), and you're paid for completing them. 

When you first join, you're required to purchase a package—this is often referred to as an "exam" or "activation" package. The size of your daily task quota (and potential earnings) depends on the package you choose. For example, if you buy a package worth around $550, you'll receive 7 tasks per day. More expensive packages generally unlock more tasks and higher daily earnings. 

You can also boost your income through referrals. By inviting others to join CloudBoost, you earn a commission when they sign up and purchase a package. Additionally, when the people you invited start referring others, you earn a percentage of their activity as well—creating a multi-level earning structure. Is this pyramide scheme and therefore haraam?

Q: I am in company who is selling a product for 2300 and I am dealing with the employee of the company. He is telling me to make the invoice for 2400 and after the transaction has been made then give him secretly 100 dollars.  

Is this permissible for me to give secretly? 

Q: Earning halaal wealth using a laptop that was bought with haraam money. If haraam, does the profit money need to be given to that right owner?

Q: I work in a retail store. The owners intentionally mark up products by 50% because they expect customers to negotiate and ask for discounts. The actual intended markup is 20%. 

One day, a customer approached me about a product that had the 50% markup. I knew I had the authority to reduce the price down to the 20% markup. The customer said that if I gave him a discount, he would give me some money personally. I agreed, gave him the discount, and he gave me the money.