Resolution No. (171) (3/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Ruling on Organized Tawaroq Sale Carried out by some Islamic Banks"
Date: 29/4/1433 AH, corresponding to 22/3/2012 AD.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above given date the Board reviewed the following question
What is the ruling of Sharia on organized Tawaroq sale carried out by some Islamic banks?
In modern terms, in this type of sale the purchaser of a commodity in installments may re-sell it in cash amounts less than the purchase amount. The commodity can also be sold either by the purchaser`s deputy, or the financer.
Organized Tawaroq sale carried out by some Islamic banks is a form of evading usury (Riba), because the real purpose behind it is collecting a sum of money against an increase, where the bank carries out sham purchase of certain commodities, then sells them to the purchaser in installments. Afterwards, the bank re-sells them to a third party against a cash amount which is less than the first amount, then gives that cash amount to the purchaser in installments, but the bank obliges the latter to pay off the first amount.
In terms of Islamic Sharia, this is considered a usurious loan, even though it seems a form of Tawaroq sale from the outside.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for." [Agreed upon].
Therefore, it is a prohibited a contract, because it is a form of evading prohibited usury. Omar Bin Abdulaziz used to say about Tawaroq: "It is the brother of usury (Riba)." This is based on the following saying of the Prophet (PBUH): "Don`t you imitate the Jews who made the unlawful lawful by resorting to the meanest of tricks." [Ibtaal Al-Heyal/pp.47].
On its part, the Board is of the view that organized Tawaroq carried out by some Islamic banks is forbidden. This is confirmed by resolution no. (179) (5/19) of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy/2009.
The Board, advises Islamic banks and institutions to adhere to the Sharia approved forms of investment and financing, and to avoid suspicious tricks, in compliance with the legal rules that realize the objectives of Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board
The Grand Mufti of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan :His Eminence , Abdull-Kareem Al-Khasawneh
Vice Chairman of the Iftaa` Board: His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr.Yahia Al-Botosh/member
His Eminence :Sheikh Sa`id Al-Hijawi/member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/member
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakkri /member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-khalayleh/member
Prof. Abdulnasir Abulbasal/member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zo`bi/member
