Is Selling Unsafe Online Products That Meet Legal Standards Halal?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it permissible to buy or sell products online that may be unsafe but are claimed to meet legal standards? What should one do if such sales have already occurred, and is the profit earned from them halal if the business has since closed?
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.
If the products meet a country’s legal standards, it is permissible to buy and sell them.
If it is proven that a company engages in child labor, supports practices contrary to Islamic principles, or operates a pyramid scheme, it would be unethical and often prohibited to purchase from them. Overall, we should strive to buy products that are ethically produced and do not profit from criminal, illegal, or unjust activities. [Taqi ‘Usmani, Fiqh al-Buyu‘]
‘Ubada ibn al-Samit (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) issued a decree,
“Do not cause harm or return harm.” [Ibn Majah]
Since it is not proven that they are a pyramid scheme or employ child labor, it would be permissible to shop from them. However, we should generally buy products that are produced and manufactured ethically. [Taqi ‘Usmani, Fiqh al-Buyu‘]
I would like you to read through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
- Halal and Ethical Trade Practices – SeekersGuidance
- halal and haram Archives – SeekersGuidance
- How to shop ethically | Ethical Consumer
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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 has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
