Business and Dealings

Q: My family's financial condition is very severe nowadays. And here in India, I'm not getting a job anywhere in the companies because of my beard in spite of being highly qualified. My parents have some how gathered up money and also through a relatives' link have got me a job in U.S. And as I have to appear for visa interview, my parents have said me to trim the beard to less than a fistful length just for the visa interview and not to cut the beard afterwards as after reaching there it isn't going to be a problem inshallah. They're very sceptical that if I appear the visa interview without trimming, the interviewer might presume me to be a "radical Islamic fundamentalist" and reject me. And all the last pennies invested on me will turn to zilch. Also there isn't much hope here in India to get a job as I have tried to get one since last 3 years. Considering my financial condition, will it be allowed for me to trim my beard to less than a fistful length just for this occasion? Even I'm very reluctant to do it but my financial condition and the state of my family is such that I'm forced to entertain such vile ideas. Please advise me.

Q: A company where I shop at has given me a loyalty/rewards card whereby I earn points for products I buy and I can then use these points to buy other products. In other words these points are used to buy the products instead of cash. Is this permissible?

Q: I have taken a medical plan given directly by the hospital for my wife for the duration of her pregnancy. They provide this plan for each trimester. Can it be taken or is it the same as insurance?

Q: Please can you tell me if I can donate gifts of clothes given to babies when they were born and no longer fit them, to Muslim charities?

Q: How do I go about making things right after my mother in-law found out I stole from her? She told my husband to send me away and she never wants to see me again. Please help.

Q: I took my son to a general practitioner about 5 years ago. At the time, I forgot my medical aid card, but the doctor was kind enough to consult my son as I assured him to provide my details the next day. The next day, I contacted the receptionist and provided her my medical aid details. A year after that, I noticed that the fee did not go through my medical aid and contacted the receptionist to inform them. It is now a few years later, and the doctor has moved, and I am unable to get hold of him. He is not listed on any websites as well. How do I discharge this fee?

Q: A hotel lets out its rooms on a per person charge basis. Zaid books a room for three nights on the basis of one person staying and accordingly only pays for one person. Later, he decides to share the room with his brother, Amr. Zaid claims that he is entitled to the use of any amount of water, lights etc. when he paid for one person, so sharing the use of these facilities with Amr is in actual fact an extension of the benefits that Zaid is entitled to. Is it permissible for Zaid to do this?

Q: What should I do if someone has left their computer with me for repairs, and after telling them that it can’t be repaired or it needs a certain part, they just leave it with me and don’t come back? After contacting such people, they don’t come to collect their computers and eventually there is no contact with them. What should I do with such computers?

Q: I was paid for getting internet for a research project sponsored by the government. I went to local private phone company and purchased Internet connection for one year with unlimited use of internet connection. They gave me a small router that I can put in my pocket. I use it or I do not use it, it does not matter. Payment has been made. If I use it for my personal use in addition to the research project use, is it jaaiz? Such use does not burden or hurt the government or the phone company in any way.

Q: I live in Mauritius, where Islamic Finance and Interest Free loans are not available. In these circumstances, is it permissible to take a loan to construct a house. I have heard of verses of the Qur'an where Allah declares war on those who consume and pay ribaa.