Lies in documents, pirated, harmful products, etc. : affiliate programs that may promote non-permissible products

Fatawa Question

[Question One] Dr. Kahf, Hope you are well. I have the opportunity to be part of an online affiliate program that sells others' products on websites through online ads, and makes revenue from that. [commission] I am comfortable with most of the products-sometimes electronics, subscriptions to online accounting tools, software etc. some of the products I am refusing, such as investment vehicles that are forbidden [mutual funds, interest based investments]. But there is a third category which are newsletter subscriptions, such as motley fool and others. These newsletters are often advice regarding investing, how it works and so forth [I.e. motley fool]. But, some of the stocks they may recommend are Haram ! As well, there are newsletters about real estate investments. I am not sure what to do about these-if I were to invest, I would subscribe to these newsletters, for their advice regarding markets / real estate / times etc., but I know many users [non-Muslims and Muslims] may use the advice and invest in Haram investments. What are your thoughts ? Is there a criteria I can lay down to accept / reject affiliate marketing offers ? Thanks. [Question Two] Waa Dr. Kahf, Jazaka Allah Khair. I hope you are doing well. Do I need to set a criteria in accepting / rejecting newsletter promotions ? The criteria I am considering using based on your reply below is that if the newsletter is 'advice based' or it is a 'product that gives analytics on the markets', I will use it in affiliate marketing through the sale of which we will receive commissions. But some newsletters I noticed are only for Haram things, such as advice on how to make money from bonds... In this case, I will avoid it. If you see a problem with the above, let me know, both in the letter of the law and the spirit. Otherwise, Jazaka Allah Khair, again. Yes, the vast majority of these such as motley fool's [www.fool.com] is more advice, but from my last experience in forex I just want to make sure what to avoid clearly. Murtada

Fatwa

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Publication Date

2009-08-02

Main Subjects

Financial and Accounting Sciences
Religion
Islamic Studies

Topics

• Islamic jurisprudence
• Products
• Financing
• Marketing
• Documents
• Newsletters
• Taboos
• Usury
• Transactions
• Lying
• Marketing strategy
• Belonging

No. of Pages

2

Data Type

Fatawa

Language

English

Record ID

BIM-734410

• APA
• MLA
• AMA