The Murabahah system (sale with

Q: We are a corporation that works in the field of sales and procurement as well as commercial services. The following is a brief summary of a venture that we have been offered: Establish an integrated fully-equipped trade center where our corporation represents foreign international companies and banks. Our job is to act as their agent and to provide investors with financial consultancy about selling and purchasing shares and foreign currencies. As you know, most, if not all foreign companies and banks deal in Riba (usury/interest) which is not acceptable for us as we are both Muslims and businessmen who seek making Halal (lawful) money. Therefore, we wanted to tell you about this venture so that you could (Part No. 14; Page No. 341) give your Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on it.

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned, you are prohibited to enter into this venture as it falls under helping others to deal in Riba. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!