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21 / 06 / 2026
Selling What One Does Not Own via the Internet
Is it permissible for me to offer goods for sale on the internet that I do not own, while the owner is a factory or company in China? They are offering the goods for (10) dinars, for example, on the internet for everyone to buy, and I am displaying them on my own site for (15) dinars. When a customer orders from my site, I receive (15) dinars in my account, then I purchase it from the Chinese site for (10) dinars and provide the details and delivery location of the customer who bought from my site. Consequently, the goods are sent directly from China to my customer who purchased them from my site. Of course, the customer does not know that I did this; they see that they bought it from my site. The Chinese site is aware that I am doing this, and I guarantee the safety of the product. If the customer wants to return the product and get a refund, they can do so. What is the ruling on this transaction?
Answer
I say, and with God's guidance: The transaction is permissible if it goes through two stages. The first is that if the customer requests from you and you agree, a promise to purchase contract is established between you. The second stage is after you purchase it from China, you confirm with the customer so that a sales contract is now established between you, after which you ship the goods to the customer. In both the first and second contracts, use phrases that affirm and confirm each of the contracts. And God knows best.
