Fatwa No : 85465
Selling Goods Under Another Company’s Name

Selling Goods Under Another Company’s Name

What do the respected Muftis say regarding this issue: At present, about 90% of the goods in the market are manufactured in China and other low-cost countries. On many of them, “Made in Japan,” “Made in UK,” “Made in Germany,” etc. is written. On many items, the names of reputable companies are copied exactly, or with one or two letters altered. Often, suppliers themselves tell us that it is a counterfeit product, while sometimes they don’t, but we assume it to be fake. The prices of such items are lower compared to the originals, and usually, customers also know this, but still buy them because they are cheaper. Is it permissible to sell such counterfeit goods? Moreover, is it necessary for us to inform the customers about their being counterfeit? Otherwise, will our earnings be unlawful? Or should we only clarify when the customer asks about the brand, country of origin, or whether the product is original or counterfeit?

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

If such counterfeit and low-quality goods are not sold as originals nor at the price of originals, but are shown as they are and sold at a price appropriate to them, then this is Islamically permissible and valid. However, not informing the customer of their reality at the time of purchase is undoubtedly a form of deception, which must be avoided.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

کما فی الفقہ الاسلامی: وأما التدليس بكتمان الحقيقة، وهو الصورة المشهورة في الفقه باسم (التدليس): فهو إخفاء عيب في أحد العوضين، كأن يكتم البائع عيباً في المبيع، (الی قولہ) وحكم هذا النوع: أنه حرام شرعاً باتفاق الفقهاء (1)، لقول النبي: «المسلم أخو المسلم، لا يحل لمسلم باع من أخيه بيعاً، وفيه عيب، إلا بينه له» وقوله عليه السلام: «من غشنا فليس منا» (2). ويثبت فيه للمدلس عليه ما يعرف بخيار العيب: وهو إعطاؤه حق الخيار: إن شاء فسخ العقد، وإن شاء أمضاه. الخ (4/220)۔