Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to spend Zakat funds on assets owned collectively by poor and needy communities?

Q: Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to spend Zakat funds on assets owned by poor and needy communities, and which aim to benefit and assist poor and needy individuals? This may include building or financially supporting schools, hospitals, orphanages or wells.  الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: The principle recipients of […]

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Is it permissible to use interest free finance to purchase a car?

Q. Please can you explain if it’s permissible to use interest free finance to purchase a car. Some showrooms let you hire-purchase cars where it’s interest free, with no deposit. There is a scheme for certain company employees that allow the following deal: 8% off rrp and 0% interest. This seems to be a popular […]

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Can Zakat be given to those who have been in an accident and need an emergency life saving operation?

Q. Can Zakāt be given to those who have been in an accident and need an emergency life saving operation? Can this fall under the category of ‘debtors’ as the individual needs to pay this money for the operation in order to survive? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A. Zakāt can be given only if […]

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Is the Takaful model the government wants to introduce for funding university tuition permissible?

Q. Please can you advise as to the shariah permissibility of the Takaful model the government wishes to introduce as alternative finance for funding university tuition fees? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A. The tentative opinion of Al-Qalam Panel is that an amended version of the Takāful model proposed in the BIS consultation […]

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If I have wrongly claimed Gift Aid, is repentance enough?

Q: If I have wrongly claimed Gift Aid, what is required of me now by sharia in this case?  The transaction is now complete so is not reversible and was processed via a friend. If the charity does end up claiming gift aid, should I pay some money to the government to balance things out? What […]

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Is it permissible to lie in order to obtain and maintain a job?

Q: Under exceptional circumstances, I understand one can lie. If someone has not had a job for a long time and desperately equires an income, can they lie in order to secure a job? What if they have witnessed others lie for the job and get it? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Even if […]

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What is the ruling on the permissibility of conventional travel insurance products?

Q: What is the ruling on the permissibility of conventional travel insurance products?   My particular concern focuses on the potential for significant medical expenses incurred outside your country of residence, where such facilities are unlikely to be free for non-residents. Are there any halal/takaful travel insurance products available? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه […]

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Do I have to pay zakah on Qard Hasana given to an individual?

Q: If an individual lends £2,000 to his relative on the basis of qarḍ ḥasana (gratuitous loan) and the £2,000 is still outstanding. How should the lender treat the outstanding £2,000 for the purposes of zakāh? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: A personal loan is categorized as a ‘strong debt’.[1] […]

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How can I make up for being dishonest with insurance companies?

Q: I have been dishonest when it comes to car insurance for e.g. by claiming on someone else’s, falsifying mileage and driving without insurance. How can I rectify these mistakes? I used my dad’s break down cover on my car which covers, the cover holder on multiple cars, with my dad’s permission, to get my […]

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