As a higher rate taxpayer – I can reclaim some of my Zakah back from HMRC- How do I treat this?

Q: As a higher rate taxpayer – I can reclaim some of my Zakah back from HMRC – How do I treat this? I am a higher rate taxpayer and would claim gift aid on my zakāh “donation”. If I give £100, the charity will be able to claim another £28 or so. Fine. My […]

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Is my income as a para-planner halal?

Q: Is my income as a para-planner ḥalāl, since I will be doing the research but not the advising on the different products (life insurance, mortgages, fixed interest bonds, mutual funds with non sharīʿah compliant companies etc)? I am currently training as a para-planner at a small independent financial advisory firm and I wish to […]

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Is it permitted to claim unemployment benefits if one is readily able to find work but prefers to stay at home instead?

Q: Is it permitted to claim unemployment benefits if one is readily able to find work but prefers to stay at home instead? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: There are two main unemployment benefits: · Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) · Income Support (IS). JSA can only be rightfully claimed by […]

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Can student loans be taken off as a liability for zakah purposes?

Q: Can student loans be taken off as a liability for zakāh purposes? 31st December 2010 Is a Student Loan added to ones zakāh liability section as a whole in every zakāh year until it is paid off unlike most deferred payment loans such as mortgages, where only the coming 12 months instalments will be […]

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If a Muslim is working as a cab driver, can they charge a customer who wants to go to a pub or nightclub?

Q: If a Muslim is working as a cab driver, can they charge a customer who wants to go to a pub or nightclub? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: The basic principle in this type of issue is that according to Imām Abū Yūsuf and Imām Muḥammad if an individual […]

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If a Muslim needs to claim on their car insurance policy, can they benefit from the entire amount of money?

Q: If a Muslim needs to claim on their car insurance policy, can they benefit from the entire amount of money, or only that amount which equals premiums paid to date? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: The premiums paid under conventional insurance are paid through an irregular contract according to […]

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Is a Muslim better off earning no interest on money in the bank, or taking interest with the intention of giving it to the poor?

Q: Is a Muslim better off earning no interest on money in the bank, or taking interest with the intention of giving it to the poor? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: If it is possible to open an account with an Islamic bank or the Islamic window of a conventional […]

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Are Muslims allowed to take interest money from the bank and use it to pay their own taxes or insurance premiums?

Q:Are Muslims allowed to take interest money from the bank and use it to pay their own taxes or insurance premiums? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: When needed, one should seek to open an account with an Islamic bank or the Islamic window of a conventional bank or a non-interest […]

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Can zakah be given to welfare projects?

Q: Can zakāh be given to welfare projects? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: The dominant and more correct opinion is that zakāh revenues cannot be utilised for general projects such as water purification plants, building wells, etc.[1] [1]For a detailed explanation, please read the Utilisation of Zakāh for Welfare Projects […]

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Are Muslims permitted to eat food bought from haram income (such as money falsely claimed in government benefits)?

Q: Are Muslims permitted to eat food bought from ḥarām income (such as money falsely claimed in government benefits)? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: If one receives state benefits fraudulently the amount of excess benefit so received without entitlement must be returned to the state. If the excess benefit is […]

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Is it permissible to over claim benefits by under-declaring income?

Q: Is it permissible to over claim benefits by under-declaring income? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: It is not permissible to over claim benefits by under-declaring one’s income. Any excess benefit fraudulently received in this manner is unlawful and must be returned to the state. However, if the excess benefit […]

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