Using freelancer.com website
Q: There is a website called freelancer.com , where a person can hire graphics designers, website designers and the like, to do work for him. One option available is called a contest, where one posts ones requirements and the price he will pay, the money is charged by the website, then various graphics designers who want to offer their services (optionally) create mock ups / designs which the person can then choose between. Sometimes over 50 different designs are made. The person then chooses the one he likes the most. The website transfers the money to that designer, together with taking a small percentage fee for using their platform. The one designer who's design was chosen, will be paid. The remainder who's designs weren't chosen, and had voluntarily posted designs in the hope of winning the contest, get paid nothing. Is this type of contest / ijaarah permissible?
A: This is a bai' and not an ijaarah. The client is paying the designer for the graphic design after he has produced it. In other words, all the designers have presented their designs and the person chose whichever design he wanted and thereafter paid for it. The company he contacts acts as the middleman in contacting the graphic designers and showing their designs to the client.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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