Business and Dealings

Q: Please advise on the permissibility of the following two gifts:

1. I recently went to Asia on a business trip on behalf of the company for which I work. I visited numerous Asian customers who gave me a small gift. I assume that this is part of the Asian culture.

2. One of the sales managers who gives out year-end gifts to our customers, gave me one of these gifts. I believe that this was surplus stock. Please advise in each case whether it is permissible to keep these gifts.

Q: I am working in a government office. Many people come here for their various purposes. When their purpose is solved/served, they pay some money to eat something willingly. I am not asking him anything, whatever they pay, is it permissible for me to take this kind of money?

Q: Is it harem to give interest?

Q: Can one insure work vehicles and install a tracking device for protection of business assets?

Q: A person is working for a Madrasah. He says he is doing it for Allah's sake/pleasure. Does this mean that he can't /shouldn't take a salary from the madrasah?

Q: A company that was founded and currently owned by a Muslim has the name 'Hyperion.' In Greek mythology, 'Hyperion' is the name of a child between the Sky and Earth deities. This is a formal definition of the word 'Hyperion': "Hyperion is a Titan and a son of Uranus and Gaia. He is married to his sister Theia and has three children - Helios, Selene and Eos. The name Hyperion means "he who goes before the sun" and may have arisen because he was sometimes thought of as the sun." ["Hyperion." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2015. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.] Hence, the name of this Muslim-owned company has the same kufr-shirk connotations as Nike. Please advise:

(1) Is it permissible to utilize the services of a company with such a name? They provide online courses in computer programming and similar services.

(2) Is it permissible to be employed in such a company?

Q:

1. If I told someone that I will give you this dress, that person didn't say anything, can I change my decision and keep the dress for myself?

2. I told a person that I will give you something but that person said he does not need it, but I insisted on him to accept the offer and he somehow agreed, then later I thought in my mind that maybe that person really don't need my thing so well I will give it to some other person then, so can I change my decision like this?

Q: I have taken an Islamic Shari'ah loan from standard chartered bank Bahrain. I want to go for umrah. Tell me, is my loan halaal or haraam? Can I go for umrah or not? If the loan is haraam, then I have done a major sin. How can I  face my Allah and Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)? Please answer me me thoroughly.

Q: I purchased a business and wish to insure it. What is the Shar‘ee ruling regarding insuring one’s business? Similarly, explain the law of insuring one's vehicle.

Q: I would like to know if I can rent out my outhouse/granny flat to a Hindu lady? It is directly behind my house and very close. Of course she will probably have her god statue and TV etc.