Investment through Net forbidden

Source
Friday April 13, 2007

KUALA TERENGGANU: The National Fatwa Council has ruled that any form of share investment through the Internet that promises a steady profit is haram (forbidden) because of the elements of riba (interest) and gharar (chance).

In passing the fatwa (edict) yesterday, council chairman Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin advised Muslims who dabbled in shares on the Internet, such as the Swiss Cash Mutual Fund, to withdraw their money.

There were many alternative investments based on Islamic principles, which they could participate in, he said after chairing the 77th National Fawta Council meeting here yesterday.

On exhibitions depicting ghosts, ghouls and supernatural beings, the council ruled that such shows were forbidden in Islam as they could undermine the faith of Muslims.

“They (spirits and supernatural beings) are beyond the comprehension of the human mind as they involve the invisible world.

“We don't want to promote a belief in tahyul (supernatural) and khurafat (superstition) which we do not know about.

“So we do not need to focus on such things or play them up by having such exhibitions.”

Dr Abdul Shukor added: “The issue of such exhibitions, often highlighted in the media, has raised a conflict of interest among certain quarters and this is not healthy for Muslims.

“Therefore, we hope such exhibitions will no longer be held,” he said.

Dr Abdul Shukor said the council also issued a guideline over ring tones for mobile phones which use the recital of Quranic verses and the azan (call for prayer).

He said the council deemed the recital of Quranic verses and azan in phones as harus (optional).

However, he discouraged handphone users from using the ring tones at unsuitable places, as that would be blasphemous.

On the issue of converts using bin Abdullah in their names, he said the council would not compel them to use this in their names and if they choose to do so, could retain their original names.