Sellin Fish without Scales
Question :

I am about to begin a small business in food catering in India, and fish that are without scales and other seafood which are prohibited in our jurisprudential school are in high demand. Are we allowed to sell such fish as cooked meals?

Answer :

It is not permissible to do so.

Buy and Sell Wheat and Crops
Question :

Can we purchase a car where payment will be made in installments, although the total payment made will be higher than the normal price?

Answer :

It is permissible to purchase a car or any other item by deferred payments for a price that is higher than its current market value. It is essential that the deal is set originally in such a way that the parties agree to the price and the times of installments.

Selling Hair
Question :

Some women sell their hair to Muslims or non-Muslims and receive some money or some other useful items from them in exchange. Is it permissible to do this?

Answer :

Yes, it is permissible.

Shaving all Body Hair
Question :

Can I shave all body hair, except facial hair?

Answer :

It is permissible.

Drawing Cartoons of People
Question :

Is it permissible to draw people from Islamic history, including the 14 Infallibles (peace be upon them), without their faces showing, for the purpose of using them as illustrations in Islamic books for children?

Answer :

Hand drawing of figures that have life is prohibited and based on an obligatory precaution it is also prohibited via the computer.

Selling Wine
Question :

I gave a loan to an unemployed person, and then he found work in selling wine. After he earned money through this work he repaid his debt to me. Is this money lawful for me?

Answer :

If he was selling the wine to Muslims only then his money is unlawful, if he was selling it to non-Muslims, and paid off his debt from this money then it is permissible to use the given money. The same applies if he was selling the wine to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Managing A Supermarket
Question :

I am currently working as a manager in a supermarket that sells alcohol. If there is lack of staff, I might have to work as a cashier and people might be purchasing alcohol. Am I allowed to work in this store?

Answer :

It is prohibited to sell wine, even indirectly or by acting on behalf of the company.

Selling Alcohol
Question :

I have been offered a job at a supermarket that sells alcohol. I requested if I can avoid working on the cashier, but the manager replied it is very unlikely due to the necessity of me having to work there at times. Will it be lawful for me to take this job?

Answer :

It is not permissible to be part of a transaction of selling wine or pork or any meat not slaughtered according to the Sharia. It is permissible to sell other items.

Lottrey
Question :

It has been mentioned on your website that it is allowed to play state-sponsored lottery, but the prize should be collected on behalf of the religious authority (the Marja). How do we collect the prize on behalf of the Marja?

Answer :

If a believer receives money that is taken from a government organization, and it is known that the money had once belonged to a Muslim, it is still regarded as being owned by him. One can take this money by intending to take it on behalf of the Marja, and then he can assume ownership of it. It is better to help the needy believers with some part of it.

Lottery Tickets
Question :

I own a store where lottery tickets are sold, and I receive a certain profit on each ticket sold. Is this permissible for me?

Answer :

The transaction of the commonly-known lottery tickets is based on purchasing a paper ticket confirming certain numbers he has chosen, and as a result he is entered into a lottery draw. If the chosen numbers match the numbers randomly drawn, they win the prize. Such a transaction is permissible, and selling the tickets of such a lottery is permissible.

Keeping the Change
Question :

I work in a store as a cashier, and sometimes the customer pays more than the required amount and says, ‘keep the change.’ Can I take that extra money for myself?

Answer :

If you understand from the customer that the money is given to you personally, then you can keep it for yourself. But, if the customer’s intention was to give the extra cash for the store, or the employer stipulates that extra cash is the store’s, then you cannot take the cash.

State-sponsored Lottery
Question :

Is it allowed to play state-sponsored lottery in which you buy a ticket of two Euros, and if you are lucky you can win millions. Is that money lawful or not?

Answer :

It is permissible to purchase state-sponsored lottery tickets, but the prize should be collected on behalf of the Marja.

Photography
Question :

Is taking a photograph, having one or displaying one forbidden?

Answer :

No, it is permissible.

Painting
Question :

I had a painting of myself done by a student. Is this against the laws of Islam to have something like that done for oneself?

Answer :

In general, painting of live things is prohibited, but owning the painting is not prohibited. As for the student who made the painting, his action is not prohibited since he did not know the verdict.

National Lottery
Question :

There is a national lottery held in our country, run by a company. Tickets are sold for a very low price, and the winners receive prizes. The company also gives some of their income in the sale of the tickets to certain charitable projects. Is a Muslim permitted to purchase such a ticket with the intention of winning the prize, and if he intends to give a part of the prize to an Islamic charity project?

Answer :

Apparently the said transaction is permissible, and it is not considered to be prohibited gambling. The deal here is merely selling a ticket for a low price with the condition that if the chosen numbers match the company's randomly selected numbers the participant wins the prize. One becomes deserving of the prize due to fulfilling a condition included in the sale deal, so it is permissible to claim the prize. It is not obligatory to spend the money in the way intended, although it is better to do so.

Drawing Using a Stylus Pen
Question :

I use a stylus pen to draw and paint humans and animals on a tablet. Is it permissible?

Answer :

It is not permissible to do so based on compulsory precaution.

Renting for Prohibited Reasons
Question :

Is it allowed to rent out space for trading, if the tenant sells alcohol among other products?

Answer :

Renting the property is permissible. The prohibition in respect to the alcohol is on the seller.

Selling Squid and Fish with no scale
Question :

Is it permissible to sell squid and fish which have no scales to those who consider it permissible for consumption (e.g. Sunnis and non-Muslims?

Answer :

No, it is not permissible.

Hunting Dogs
Question :

Is it allowed to buy a hunting dog, but just to keep at home and not for the purposes of hunting?

Answer :

If the dog was trained for hunting then it is permissible to buy it even if it is for other purposes.

Rulings of Making Images
Question :

I wish to know the ruling on making images in two dimensions and three dimensions

Answer :

It is prohibited to make images of live creatures, whether two-dimensional or three-dimensional.