Reselling an item at a higher price

Q: My husband is working in a private Afghan company that stores oil for America. Sometimes the Americans ask my husband for some goods like paint, furniture or other things. My husband asks the price from the shopkeeper and buys the goods then gives the goods with an increased price to the Americans.

For example, the furniture price is 300 dollars and my husband gives the price as 500 dollars, even the Americans know the real price but they accept the price that my husband gives.

I told my husband that this money is haram but he says that I am not their employee, I work for another company. They ask me to buy goods for them and I give them a quotation then they buy it. This is business. I don't directly tell them that I increased the price but they know. They accept it because they trust me and they need one person to do their work for them since they can't directly buy those things. I spend my time and effort for them in getting those things so the money is not haram. Kindly tell me whether the money my husband charges them is haram or halal. 

A: If your husband is purchasing the items himself first and then reselling it, then this is valid and permissible.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)