Q: I wanted to sell my old mobile phone on ebay. But it has musical ringtones on it which have been on there from the beginning as factory settings and can’t be deleted. Can I sell the phone in spite of that? What about selling it to non-muslims even though they might do Haraam with the phone?
A: The principle of Shariah is that it is impermissible for one to sell an item that can only be used for a haraam purpose. As for an item that has a dual or multiple purpose (i.e. it can be used for haraam as well as halaal) e.g. cellphone, selling it will be permissible. However if one has knowledge that the person purchasing the item is purchasing it for a haraam purpose, then in that case selling the item to him will be impermissible. If you are not sure for what purpose the person is purchasing it for, it will be permissible to sell it to him.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
(و) جاز ( بيع عصير ) عنب ( ممن ) يعلم أنه ( يتخذه خمرا ) لأن المعصية لا تقوم بعينه بل بعد تغيره وقيل يكره لإعانته على المعصية … ( بخلاف بيع أمرد ممن يلوط به وبيع سلاح من أهل الفتنة ) لأن المعصية تقوم بعينه (شامي 6/391)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)