Is buying and storing gold bars for profit permissible or prohibited?
Buying and storing gold bars for profit is permissible, and there is no harm in it. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
I am an employee at Social Security, and I have heard that working with them is forbidden (haram) because they impose an interest rate of 2% on companies and individuals who are late in making payments. Is my job with them haram or questionable?
Please clarify the type of work. If it does not involve the usury (Riba) mentioned, we hope that there is no issue with it, as most of their funds are acquired in a lawful (Complies with the teachings of Sharia) manner. And Allah, The Almighty, Knows Best.
Is it permissible for a woman to ride a taxi without a Mahram (unmarriageable kin) in order to attend a gathering of knowledge?
It is permissible for the woman to pursue the knowledge that she needs in order to perform the religious requirements due on her if there was nobody to teach her at home, provided that there is no temptation involved. Moreover, we don`t recommend that she rides a taxi without a Mahram although such an act isn`t from the forbidden Khulwah (seclusion).
What is teh ruling on thoughtless oath?
One who swears by Allah unintentionally and isn`t determined to fulfill his oath, nothing is due on him. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing." [Al-Baqarah/225]. However, it is dispraised for a Muslim to swear frequently.
