Fathwa - Criteria of currency exchange online

Question
Assalam-u-Alaikum! I am doing Online E-currency Money Exchange
Businessand Brokery. Online E-currency exchange including these online
accounts or payment processor: Liberty Reserve, Payza & Paypal etc.
Liberty Reserve is an online e-currency account or payment processor
where we can send and receive money only but cannot deposit money
directly to our Liberty Reserve Account &cannot cashout directly from
Liberty Reserve Account to our bank account or credit or debitcard
instead we can contact any online international exchanger for cashout
money recommended by Liberty Reserve or a local exchanger living in
our country. Its mean, in bothcases, cashout and deposit money, we
must have to contact any exchanger whether it is international
exchanger or local exchanger of our country or any individual, and
both international and national exchanger will take some fees in order
to cashout or deposit your money to your BankAccount, Card or Western
Union etc as per request. This is Liberty Reserve Terms of Service.
Now, this is what I do: 1) For example: Dollar ($) rate inPakistan,
today is 100RS. Someone want to deposit$100 in his liberty
reserveaccount or want to purchase $100 of liberty reserve, he contact
me to buy and I have a local exchanger of liberty reserve, which sell
me 1 Dollar($) per 103RS ($ today is 100RS but he selling in 103RS by
making 3RS his profit, by considering all of his feesand taxes as he
deposit by some exchanger to hisliberty reserve account). Now, I
purchase $100 in 103 RS rate and sell to another party $100 in 106RS
rate, by making 3RS profit per Dollar($). Now, tell me is it profit
permissible for me? Can I continue my this exchange business? And
Ihave party, which can sellme daily $100 in 95RS and I can sell to
another party in 100RS by makingmy profit. So, Can I continue this?
Both parties seller and buyer know the current rates oftoday of
Dollar($). I am hardly waiting for my answer... Jazakallah
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His Slave and Messenger.
If the transaction of exchanging currencies and selling them for
eachother whether between you and the company or individuals adhered
to the Islamic guidelines, then there is no blame onyou regarding that
transaction and the profits you get from it. The most important of
such guidelines is that the exchange should takeplace in the same
meeting of concluding the contract hand-to-hand, physically or in a
non-physical way, and amongst its non-physical forms is what was
stated in the statement of the Islamic Fiqh Council:
"Among the non-physical forms of receiving the value that are
permissible are the following:
1- Transferring money into the agent's account in the following ways:
a. When it is deposited into the agent's account, directly or via wire transfer.
b. When the agent makesan immediate currency exchange contract with
the bank in case of buying one currency for another on behalf of the
agent.
c. When the bank – on the instructions of the agent – deducts a sum
ofmoney from another account in a different currency, whether it is in
the same bank or another bank, to the benefit of the agent or another
beneficiary. The banks should pay attention to ensuring that they act
in accordance with the principles of Islamic exchange. The delay in
transferring the money before the beneficiary is actually able to take
possession of it may be overlooked for the usual amount of time that
such transfers take in the banking system, but it is not permissible
for the beneficiary to dispose of the currency during this grace
period, until the bank transaction takes effect in the sense that it
becomes possible to actually receive that sum of money. [End quote]
Also, it is stipulated whenselling currency for the same currency to
be of equal amounts along with what we have stated that the exchange
must take place in the same meeting (i.e. being hand to hand).
However, if the currencies are different such as selling aDollar for
Rupee, then it is only stipulated that theexchange must take place in
the same meeting, and not be of equal amounts. Accordingly, there is
no blame on the company if it sells 1 Dollar for 103 Rupees rate, and
there is no blame on you if you sell 1 Dollar for 106 Rupees rate or
more, even if that is greater than its value in the market because the
most important thing is that the exchange takes place in the same
meeting if currencies are different. We have pointed out the
guidelines of dealing in currency exchange online in Fatwa 88034,
soplease refer to it.
Allaah Knows best.

Evolutionary claims aboutantibiotic resistance and immunity

Evolutionists propose that the resistance that bacteria develop
against antibiotics, and the immunity that some insects develop
against DDT are evidence for evolution. They claim that these are
examples of acquired resistance and immunity, brought about by
mutations thattook place in the living things exposed to these
substances.
In both bacteria and insects, these characteristics are not properties
that were subsequently acquired against DDT or antibiotics as a result
of mutations. Some of these living things possessed these
characteristics beforethe population as a whole was subjected to
antibiotics or DDT. Although considered a pro-evolutionistperiodical,
Scientific American, makes the following confession in its March 1998
issue: "Many bacteria possessed resistance genes even before
commercial antibiotics came into use. Scientists do not know exactly
why these genes evolved and were maintained."
As may be seen, genetic information that procures resistance had
existed prior to exposure to antibiotics and cannot be explained by
evolutionists; this proves the falsity of their claim.
The fact that resistant bacteria were present years before the
discovery of antibiotics is expressed inMedical Tribune, itself a
remarkable scientific publication, in its December 29, 1998 issue. The
article is concerned with an interesting event: In a study carried out
in 1986, the corpses of some sailors who fell sick and died during a
polar expedition in 1845 were found preserved in ice. Some common
19thcentury bacteria types were found in the corpses and when they
were tested, researchers were surprised to find that they were
resistant to many modern antibiotics that were not developed until the
20thcentury Ce.
It is a well-known fact in medical circles that this sort of
resistance was present in many bacteria populations prior to the
discovery of penicillin. Therefore, it is absolutely deceptive to
postulate the resistance of bacteria as an evolutionary development.
How, then, does the so-called process of "bacterialacquisition of
immunity" take place?
Resistance of Bacteria to Antibiotics
Bacteria have numerous variations within their types. Some of these
variations harbour the genetic information to be resistant to
different drugs, chemicals or other substances. When the bacteria as a
whole group are exposed to a certain type of drug, those that are not
resistant to that drug are destroyed whereas those that areresistant
survive and get the chance to reproduce more. The non-resistant
bacteria soon disappear from the population and are replaced by those
that are resistant, which then rapidly reproduce. Eventually we end up
with a bacterial colony made up only of individuals that are resistant
to that particular antibiotic and from then on, that particular
antibiotic becomes ineffective against this bacteria type. The crucial
point is that the bacteria are still the same bacteria and the species
is still the same species.
It is important to note here that, contrary to the claims of
evolutionists, there is no evolutionary process taking placein which
non-resistant bacteria mutate and convert into resistantbacteria
strains by being exposedto antibiotics and thus acquire new genetic
information. What istaking place is only a weeding-out of particular
bacteria variations from a population of resistant and non-resistant
variations that co-existed from the very beginning. This does not mark
the emergence of a new bacteria species: it is not "evolution". On the
contrary, one or more of the existing variationsdisappear, which is
quite the reverse process since genetic information is being lost.
Immunity of Insects to DDT
Another issue that evolutionists seek to distort and offer as evidence
for evolution is the seemingly "acquired" immunity of insects of DDT
that we mentioned earlier. This immunitydevelops in the same manner as
bacterial resistance does to antibiotics. Immunity to DDT can by no
means be said to have been"acquired" by individual members of the
insect population. Some of the insects were already immune to DDT.
After the discovery of DDT, insectsthat were exposed to this chemical
but did not have this inherent immunity were eliminated from the
population, which is to say, they became extinct. Those that were
immune-- and originally these were relatively few in the population --
increased in time. Eventually, the entire insect species became a
population whose members were all immune. When that happened, DDT
ceased to be effective against this species of insect. This phenomenon
is commonly, but misleadingly, referred to as "insects' acquisition of
immunity to DDT".
Evolutionist biologist Francisco Ayala admits this fact by saying:
"The genetic variants required forresistance to the most diverse kinds
of pesticides were apparently present in every one of the populations
exposed to these man-made compounds."
Being well aware that the majority of people do not have anopportunity
to learn about microbiology nor do researches in it, evolutionists
employ plain deceit where the issues of resistance and immunity are
concerned. They frequently bring up these examples as very important
evidence for evolution.It should be clear by now, that neither the
resistance of bacteria to antibiotics nor the immunity of insects to
DDT provides evidence for evolution. What theydo provide, are good
examples ofthe distortion and hoodwinking methods that evolutionists
have recoursed to in order to justify their theory.
To conclude, one clearly sees the falsehood the evolutionists are upon
and this leads to the fact that Allaah is the Creator of all things
and not evolution.

How children receive Ramadhaan

Laying down the book I looked up at Tessniem. "OK, so what are we
going to do this Ramadhaan?" Her cheerful face lit up. "Paint the
windows." Looking at my pretty white sheers I forced my head to nod.
"OK, what else do we do during Ramadhaan?" Omar jumped off the couch…
"Not eat, ah, I mean fast." "That's right, we fast for a whole month,"
said Tessniem, gently wrapping her arms around her chest and hugging
her self. "I love Ramadhaan, it's fun." Omar said, "Yea, it's great,
we get to choose whatever we want to break our fast with."
I could tell by his eyes that he was remembering steaming corn dogs
out of the oven dipped in ketchup with a glass of chocolate milk. "And
what makes that food taste so especially good?" I asked sitting upon
the couch. Omar raised his hand high into the air like he was in
class. "I know, I know," he screamed." Omar you can put your hand
down, we aren't in class now." Omar lowered his arm and smiled
"because we are doing it for Allaah and when we eat we remember
Allaah."
Tessniem jumped in, "and the poor people who don't have any food like
the ones in Somailia and Ba…" Omar turned toher, "you meanBosnia."
Tessniem looked up at Omar "yea Bas, that placeOmar said." Omar's head
lowered and his mouth's edges dipped down. Taking his hand. "What's
wrong Omar?" "I just remembered the stories about the Bosnians eating
grass because there was nothing to eat during the war." Breathing
deep, "yea, there is a lot to be thankful for." Tessniem walked up to
me with her shoulder raised close to her ears. "Remember that picture
of the Somalibaby on the ground and the vulture waiting for him to
die?" I did not even have to think back, the picture is forever seared
in my memory.
Placing my arms around Tessniem, I brought her close to me on the
couch.Omar scooted over to me and hugged my other arm. Looking at the
floor,he leaned his cheek against my arm. "Mama?"he whispered. I made
a soft hmm to let him knowI was listening. "Can we send them some
money so they can buy food?" Sitting up I smiled, "Yes, every year we
give them Zakaat."
Rubbing his eyes I could see his wheels spinning in his brain, got up
and ran to his bedroom. I thought for a minute he was going off to
cry. I could hear the closet door open and the soundof jingling down
the hallway. He quickly turned the corner and stopped abruptly in
frontof me holding out a plastic spice container filled with paper
riyals and change. With his facesolemn he moved it closer to me so I
could take it from him. "Omar, what do you want me to do with it?"
With puzzledexpression he looked at me like I was seriously confused.
"Mom… It's for the poor people, who don't have any food."
Taking the plastic container, I started slowly unscrewing the red lid.
"And how much do you want to give to them?" Omar scrunched up his face
and held out his right hand upward as if to say 'you still don't get
it?' He sighed heavily and took the container and dumped it onto my
lap. "All of it Mom!" I thought I should get into the concept of
percentages for Zakaat, but it just didn't seem appropriate.
Looking down on my lap,I knew he had been saving his money for a
Spiderman at Wonder World. I was getting ready to tell him about the
reward from Allaah when Tessniem appearedin the living room with her
spice container bank.Smiling she untwisted the red lid and dumped the
money on my lap too.Too touched for words, I hugged them. Looking
atthe money, Tessniem laid her hand on her cheek thinking. Softly she
whispered, "maybe it willbuy enough food for thatlittle boy so he can
get upand the vulture won't eathim."
Of course the most logicalthing to tell her is that the picture was
taken over two years ago and most probably the child never got up and
was never buried. But only Allaah knows what happened, and this little
girl needed to know that by the mercy she receivesfrom Allaah there
was still hope.

Keep the spirit of Ramadhaan alive all year

As we enter upon the month of Shawaal, let us not leave off the many
acts of worship we performed during the blessed month of Ramadhaan.
Ramadhaan, for most of us, was a time of renewal and reestablishment
of our commitment to Allaah and His religion.
We fasted, gave charity, read the Quran and performed the night
prayer. We avoided gossip, slander and every evil that would
invalidate our fasting. But now that Ramadhaan is over, the majority
of us, unfortunately, willput the Quran back on the shelves, will
suspend fasting untilnext year and will abandon the night prayer. This
is not the way it should be, because all of these acts of worship
carry rewards and are of benefit to us throughout the year, in
addition to the fact that there is no divine prescription limiting
them to Ramadhaan.
The Quran
It's sad, but true, that many of ushave fallen into the bad habit of
only reciting the Quran during the month of Ramadhaan. By doing this,
we cheat ourselves out of the abundant blessings that come from
reading the words of Allaah. Reading the Quran is the best way to
remember Allaah, it is a protection from the Satan and in it are cures
for what ails us. For Allaah says (what means):"O mankind, there has
come to you a protection from your Lord and a healing for what is in
your hearts and for those who believe,a guidance and a mercy."[Quran;
10:57]
The Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Whoever reads a letter of the Book of
Allaah (Quran) shall have a good deed (recorded for him orher) and
every good deed is increased a ten-fold (reward). I do not say that
Alif Laam Meem isone letter, but rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a
letter and Meem is a letter."[At-Tirmithi]
The Quran is also the best way fora servant to draw closer to his or
her Lord. Khabbaab Ibn Al-Aratsaid to a man: "Draw closer to Allaah as
much asyou can, andremember that you can do so by no means more
pleasing to Him than by His own Words (i.e. the Quran)."
The Night Prayer
Many of us passed the nights of the month of Ramadhaan, especially the
last ten, standing in prayer before Allaah. Just because Ramadhaan is
over, doesnot mean that Allaah does not see us now if we stand in the
night prayer. Allaah Says (what means):"Surely your Lord knows (O
Muhammad) that you stand (inprayer) two thirds of the night, or half
of it, or a third of it..."[Quran; 73:20]
The Messenger of Allaahsaid:"The best prayer, after the obligatory
prayer, is the night prayer."[Muslim]
The night prayer carries with it many blessings. For example,
Al-Hassanwas asked: "How is it that those who stay up at night have
the most attractive faces?" Hereplied, "Because they are on intimate
terms with The Merciful, and He adorns themwith some of His light."
And for those of us who feel that standing in the night prayer will
leave us tired and unable to go about our daily tasks in the morning,
we should consider the following words of Allaah's Prophet.
Hesaid:"When any of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of
his head. On each knot he repeats and exhalesthe following words, 'The
night islong, so stay asleep.' If you wake up and remember Allaah, one
knot is undone and if you perform ablution the second knot is undone
and if you pray, the third knot is undone, and youget up in the
morning full of energy and with a clear heart. Otherwise, you will get
up feelinglazy and with a muddled heart."[Al-Bukhaari]
Fasting
The Prophetsaid: "Whoever fasts a day in the way of Allaah, Allaah
will place between him and the Fire a trench like that between the
heavens and the earth." [At-Tirmithi]
Likewise, fasting wipes away the evils that arise out of person's
wealth, family or neighbor. Huthayfah Ibn Al-Yamaannarrated that the
Messenger of Allaahsaid:"The evils caused for a man through his
family, wealth and neighbor are expiated by prayer, fasting and
charity."[Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophetexplained to us that fasting protects us from our unlawful
desires, shields us from the hell fire and draws us closer to Allaah
and His Paradise. Healso encouraged us to fast at least three days
each month. The best days for this optional fastingare Mondays and
Thursdays, or the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of the
lunar month.
Charity
Allaah has blessed most of us to live relatively comfortable lives.
But there are Muslims all over theworld that find great difficulty in
attaining the most basic necessities of life. During Ramadhaan most of
us give in charity, but we forget to do so for the rest of the year.
Giving charity is of greater benefit to theone who gives it, than to
the one who receives it. It is a means of purifying our wealth,
increasing our faith and attaining righteousness. Allaah Says (what
means):"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the
East or West, but it is righteousness to believe in Allaah, and the
Last Day, and the angels, and the Books, and the prophets and gives
wealth, in spite of love for it,to the kinsfolk,the orphans, the
needy, and to the wayfarer..."[Quran; 2:177]
Giving in charity also allows us to express our faith. To truly taste
the sweetness of faith, we must want for our brothers and sisterswhat
we want for ourselves. For the Prophetsaid:"None of you will have
faith until he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for
himself."[Al-Bukhaari]
Clearly, fasting, praying during the night, reading the Book of Allaah
and giving charity should not be relegated to Ramadhaan alone. These
good deeds, and others like staying away from gossip and slander, are
all things we should do all the time. By keeping the spirit of
Ramadhaan alive throughout the year, we cansafeguard our religion and
will beable to seize many opportunities to earn the mercy and
blessings of Allaah.