Business and Dealings

Q: I would like to know if it is halaal to trade on the stock markets or buy shares in companies.

Q: We are working on internet from past 4 to 5 weeks. Our clients send us papers to solve when they are in the examination hall then they demand to solve that paper in a given time. This process is done through the phone. After solving questions we send them the answers and then they right it on their paper to pass the exam. They pay us for solving the paper. Is this sort of earning halaal? They also pay us for solving their homework. Is this sort of earning is halaal?

Q: I wanted to ask if premium prize bonds are halaal to purchase or not?

Q: Is it permissible to take out riba in order to avoid becoming homeless? I am a revert muslimah that quit college to avoid taking out more riba but I have yet to find a job and will soon be homeless since there is no family or friends I can stay with. My student loans were large enough to support me the entire semester with a part time job but since im not in school I have no job (it was a student job) and no more money. The Qur'an is very clear on riba but what else do I do? I already asked for money from my local musjid.

Q: My husband took a loan. The loan was taken with interest. He bought a phone with that money. Can I use his phone for a online shopping? Is it haaram?

Q: I work at a company that sells wooden boards. Carpenters come to us with the measurements of the customer’s job, then we use a computer program to work out how many boards the customer will require. Sometimes, the customer only requires two boards but the carpenter asks us to charge him for three boards. The customer thinks that he needs three boards and is paying for three, whereas he only needs two and is only receiving two while the carpenter takes the money from us quietly for the third board. My boss says that we are not doing anything wrong because the carpenter is taking the money and we are not taking anything. Is this permissible?

Q: My husband took a loan few months ago. Then he bought a mobile phone with those rupees. Can I use his phone? Is it halaal for me?

Q: There are many needy people in my area. I am helping them in whatever way I can with my hard-earned money. However, this is not enough as the needy people are too many. Can I buy a lottery ticket every month with the intention that if I get lucky enough to win, I will help them with the prize money? I won’t touch a single penny from that amount for my personal use.

Q: I have been a home executive for 9 years and want to assist with the income of the household. Please advise if it is permissible Islamically to work for: 1) a photography/video company 2) as a real estate agent as I have a qualification which I never used. I am worried about the interest factor. Are we indirectly encouraging interest and loans? Should I rather consider business (selling) or a profession in cupping?

Q: I am from India. We are three bothers and we have only one home. With the grace of Allah (Ta'ala) coming year I will get married. So, I was thinking of buying a home. As I don't have enough money. I need to take a loan. But here in India we don't have Islamic banking. And I don't have other means to get that required amount. What is best for me? As there is Riba involved if I want to buy a flat from the banks which follow non-islamic banking.