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Q. About being employed in bank. Is it correct Shari’ah-wise?

A. To begin with, employment in a bank, run on the basis of interest, is not permissible. However, a person employed in a bank is advised that he should not leave his job there immediately. He is rather told that he should look for some other permissible job elsewhere, and when he succeeds in getting one, he should leave the job with the bank – but, the important point here is that he should make all possible efforts he can in this direction.

Q. What if he cannot find a suitable job?  Read more... (186 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Q. 1. The Pensions Funds Act 1956 (“Act”) regulates pension funds in South Africa.

2. The object of the Act is to provide support for the dependants of a deceased member upon his death. The support is provided by means of lump sum payments and / or annuities.

3. A pension fund established in terms of the Act has separate Juristic personality, and must comply with prescribed requirements including registration, etc.

4. A contribution to a pension fund is deducted at source from the employees salary and paid over to the fund by the employer. The employer also makes defined contributions to the fund.  Read more... (802 words, estimated 3:12 mins reading time)

Q. (1) Is it Jaiz (permissible) to take an insurance policy from a conventional insurance company to cover our employees against liability in the following circumstances :

Injuries that may be suffered by workers (company employees) due to accidents in the course of their work.

Within the company’s premises.

Whilst traveling in company vehicle.

Injuries that may be suffered by innocent parties involved in accidents within the company’s premises or in company vehicles.

In the case of motor insurance it is a statutory requirement that vehicles owners must obtain an insurance policy to cover third party risks and the company complies with this requirement. This is the only form of insurance cover that the company now takes.  Read more... (449 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Q. Kindly throw some light on the use of credit cards, which are floating in the market. Majority of these cards belong to Professional banking institutions, such as American Express, City Gold Card etc. However, some cards are issued by companies such as Diners club etc, which are not themselves banking institutions. Please explain the ruling of Shariah about both these cards. In your reply please cover both the aspects of using credit cards, first as holders of the card, used to offset the purchase price and second, when we accept these cards as sellers.
(Muhammad Salman, Karachi)  Read more... (484 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

Q. I have a considerable amount of money saved by me from my monthly income. I want to invest it in a lawful business which can give me some profit. One of my friends has offered me to enter into partnership with him, I shall give him the money and he will invest it in his business which is already established and run by him. He has agreed to pay me a sum of two thousancs rupees monthly as my share in the profit. Is it permissible for me to enter into partnership on these terms?

A. No. A predetermined amount of money cannot be fixed as a profit in a partnership. If you want to enter into partnership with your friend, you will have to share his risks also. In case he faces a loss, you will have to bear it in proportion to your investment. And if the joint venture brings a profit, the same may be shared on the agreed ratio.  Read more... (282 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

Q. Observing Muslims all over the world which, unfortunately includes those living in Muslim countries, face the problems brought before them by unwanted interest money generated in their name through channels they do not control. This happens inspite of their being careful against whatever is likely to get them involved in interest bearing activity.

In case, interest does come into their accounts, no matter how unwanted, is there a valid way under the Shariah through which the identified interest amount can be disposed off?

1. Can it be taken out of the account and used to pay personal or company income tax.?  Read more... (843 words, estimated 3:22 mins reading time)

Q. (i) Does the interest on loans floated by the Government to meet national requirements come under Riba?

(ii) What alternative can be suggested for the banks in case they grant loans without interest for various requirements?

A. (i) Yes the Qur’anic injunctions regarding the prohibition of interest is general. The interest is prohibited both in the public and private sectors and for all types of purposes. Any excess payment made over and above the principal amount is Riba and is thus Haraam. For more details see the answer to the question (1).  Read more... (2161 words, estimated 8:39 mins reading time)

Q. If banking is based on interest-free transactions, what would be its basic practical shape in conformity with the injunctions of Islam?

A. Practically, the interest-free banking system can be structured on tripartite arrangement, between depositors, banks and borrowers. The nature of arrangement will very in different cases as summarised below :  Read more... (247 words, estimated 59 secs reading time)

Q. What is the deifinition of Riba according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ). Does it cover the simple and compound interest existing in the present day financial transactions?

A. The word, Riba as understood from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, is any extra payment received over and above the prin- cipal amount, regardless of the fact that extra amount is significant or insignificant. Islam, therefore, considers the Riba Haraam, in all of its forms.

The Fuqaha have given two interpretations of the word, Riba, : Riba-al-Nasia and Riba al Fadl.  Read more... (650 words, estimated 2:36 mins reading time)

Q. In response to my question, you have replied in the Albalagh International-November 1991 issue – that I can adjust the interest money received earlier against the loss of my principal amounts in BCCI, your reply, I assume, is based on the assumption that I want to adjust the interest received earlier “FROM BCCI” against the expected loss of principal amount deposited with BCCI. Suppose the interest was not received from BCCI or only partly received from BCCI. Now the question is that can I adjust such interest amount against the loss of principal in BCCI?.
(M. S. Desai, Saudi Arabia)  Read more... (490 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)