I have a query regarding the online trading whether it’s halal in Islam or not?

I have a query regarding the online trading whether it’s halal in Islam or not?

Question:

Dear Sir,

Assalam o alaykum!
I hope you would be doing fine by the grace of Allah Almighty.
I have a query regarding the online trading whether it’s halal in Islam or not?
The procedure being followed in this online trading is as follows:
Any person who wants to carryout trade can open an account with that company and deposit money in their account. In return they create an online trading account for him and all of the money which you have paid to them appears in his online trading account. They also provide $50 as welcome gesture to the account opener or trader. This $50 can be used for trading purpose but cannot be withdrawn. In contrast, the money which one has deposited to carryout online trading can be withdrawn by him at any time.
Now you start trading in oil, gold, silver currencies, shares, stock exchange etc. If you have deposited $100 in your account, you may trade up to 2500-3000$. All of the profit earned by you will be transferred to your account and any loss will be deducted from your account. For example, if you trade gold worth of 2500$ while your account was having only 100$, if you lose 10$, your account will be $100-$10=$90 while if you earn $10, it will be $100+$10 = $110.
You can either buy or sell gold according to your desire. Even in the start if you have $100 in your account, you can sell gold for a price and if gold price decreases below that for which you have sold it, you may close the deal and the difference will be transferred to your account as profit.
 
I just want to clarify whether this process is halal in Islam or not? If you could give some examples or references as well, I would be highly grateful to you.
 
May Allah Almighty bless you in this life and hereafter for this guidance. JazakAllah o khairan katheera.
 
Wa’salam,
 
Your brother in Islam,

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

You have explained that if one deposits $1000, he may trade up to $2500. You did not provide details of the $2500. Will this amount be a loan or a partnership. In distributing the profits and losses, what criteria is used in consideration of the $2500. Explain in detail.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismail Desai
Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa

Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this answer belong only to the author and do not in any way represent or reflect the views of any organizations to which he may be affiliated with. The opinions and educational information proffered in this communication are based on the jurisprudential understanding and available knowledge of the author. Given that contemporary issues and interpretations of contemporary issues are subjective in nature, another scholar may reach different juristic inferences and conclusions to those as expressed by the author. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure total academic integrity and honesty, the author is open to corrective measures based on sound academics and juristic inferences. The Shari’ah ruling given herein is based specifically on the specific scenario in question. The author bears no responsibility towards any party that acts or does not act on this answer and is exempted from any and all forms of loss or damage. This answer may not be used as evidence in any court of law without prior written consent from the author. Any or all links provided in our emails, answers and articles are restricted to the specific material being cited. Such referencing should not be taken as an endorsement of other contents of that website.

Browse   next Fataawa

Legacy of Mufti Ebrahim Desai in Islamic Commerce and Finance

Listen to Audio podcast of a Radio Islam programme

TOP