Trade

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?

Q: If someone has done fraud and is selling designer clothing and items by means of fraud, is it permissible to buy any clothes, shoes or accessories from this person Islamically?

Q: I bought a donut from Dunkin Donuts because I was hungry and it ended up being heart shaped because of Valentine’s Day. I do not celebrate Valentine days and did not know that it would be heart shaped. I was not sure if I should return the doughnut but did not want to waste food so I ate it. Did I commit kufr or a sin ?

Q: I have R1000 worth of R100 notes. However, these are the old notes and I want to change them for the new R100 notes. The agent said that he will change the old notes for the new notes, but he will charge me R10. Is this permissible?

Q: Some online retailers clearly mention that the item is not in stock, and they will acquire it for the customer from the supplier. In this case, what should one do?

Q: Online retailers often sell items that they don’t keep in stock. They conclude the sale and take payment immediately and thereafter acquire the item from the supplier and deliver it to you. Similarly, when hardware stores sell bricks to customers, they conclude the sale and accept payment immediately. Thereafter, they buy the bricks from the supplier and ask the supplier to deliver directly to the customer. Is it permissible to deal in this manner?

Q: Is the trading concept of ‘drop shipping’ permissible? In ‘drop shipping’, the trader does not keep stock of any item. Instead, he accepts payment for the goods and then forwards the customer’s details to the supplier who will deliver directly to the customer. ‘Drop shipping’ is commonly found in online shopping. Is this permissible?

Q: A person wants to run his clothing business through online retail platforms. To display the products, he will have to take photos of live human models wearing the clothing and other items. Is this allowed? If not, can mannequins with the heads be used?

Q: I know a person who imports goods from China. He is offering to sell one of his containers to me. The problem is, I don’t know what goods are in the container, and if I buy it, I will have to sign a clause that I won’t be able to return it to him. Is this sale valid in Shari’ah?

Q: Many customers buy groceries from my store on account and pay me at the end of the month. Will the sale be valid as the customers often don’t know the prices of the items they are taking?