Is It Permissible to Use Firms That Hire People to Write Positive Reviews?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have recently opened up a restaurant. Since there are many competitors in the restaurant business, they sometimes post fake bad reviews to bring our business down. In this case: Is it permissible to use firms that hire people to write positive reviews without any lies, even if the person writing the review hasn’t experienced our food?
Can reviews of these types be seen as advertisements? If impermissible, what would be the difference between using paid actors to promote a product and using hired people to write positive reviews about a business/product?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question. I empathize with your concern.
Using firms that hire people to write positive reviews will not be permissible. This will come under a lie, and here in the UK, writing fake reviews is set to become illegal.
One can post a business statement and write up a general business disclaimer about the postings of fake reviews. As a business, there are ways to attract customers, like by saying you are invited for a sample, a taster meal, etc.
As of 22nd April 2024, news here in the UK, people are set to be better protected from fake reviews and “subscription traps” under plans to tackle rip-offs. Proposals include making it “clearly illegal” to pay someone to write or host fake reviews.
Adopt Halal and Proper Ways
One should always adopt halal and permissible ways. This will generate mercy and blessings of Allah Most High and an abundance of blessings in your wealth.
Honest Business is Blessed, Lying is Not
Hakim Ibn Hizam (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it, as long as they have not separated. If they are truthful and clear with one another, there is blessing in their transaction. If they lie and conceal something, the blessing of their transaction will be eliminated.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
I pray Allah Most High generates good business from your restaurant and gives an abundance of blessings in your sustenance, Amin.
Related:
- Fake reviews to be illegal under new rules – BBC News
- Fake Reviews: Inside the Fight to Stop Them | Time
- Five stars or fake? How to beat fraudulent online reviews | Online shopping | The Guardian
- Permissible Lying and Being True (sidq) – Birgivi’s The Path of Muhammad Explained [Video]
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
