Fatwa ID: 08669
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
Are there any potential issues from an Islamic perspective with working in a business I have recently joined?
The business consists of two interconnected companies:
1. A Travel Business – This operates as a travel franchise or an independent travel agency. Upon joining, individuals gain access to a host agency’s services and booking software, enabling them to book flights, hotels, transfers, activities, and more for clients.
• Earning Potential:
• All travel bookings naturally include commission, which is typically retained by platforms like Booking.com. However, as an independent travel agent, members earn this commission themselves.
• Clients do not pay extra; the commission is already built into the price.
2. A Marketing Business – This functions as a network marketing model, allowing members to refer others who may wish to start their own independent travel agency.
• Earning Potential:
• Direct Referral Commission: Earned when personally introducing someone who purchases the franchise.
• Indirect Commission: Earned when referred members introduce new agents to the business.
• Team Bonus: A recurring $4 per month for every individual in your team (i.e., anyone who joined the business directly or indirectly through you).
• Travel Override Commission: Earn 10% of the travel commissions earned by your entire team.
• Residual Income: Ongoing income generated from your team’s growth and performance.
• Director Bonuses: Once reaching director level, members receive a monthly director bonus.
Key Considerations
• This is not a pyramid scheme, as those are illegal and unsustainable. The business generates revenue through legitimate travel bookings and franchise sales, rather than solely relying on recruitment.
• The company partners with globally recognized brands such as Disney, Virgin, and Expedia, reinforcing its legitimacy.
• Members are not obligated to remain in the business and can leave at any time without incurring fees or penalties.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
After having examined and read through your query, we are unable to locate any potential issues from an Islamic perspective regarding working in the present business that you have recently joined.
The reasons as to why it is not problematic is the following:
- The business model is not a pyramid scheme—the business generates revenue through legitimate travel bookings and franchise sales instead of sole reliance on recruitment.
- Clients do not pay extra tax so that members can gain commission by means of it.
- Members are not obligated to remain in the business and can leave at any time without incurring fees or penalties.
Thus, due to the absence of any transactional issues from an Islamic perspective, you may continue to work in the said business.
References:
1.
هو مبادلة المال بالمال بالتّراضي. ويلزم بإيجابٍ وقبولٍ وبتعاطٍ. وأيٌّ قام عن المجلس قبل القبول بطل الإيجاب. ولا بدّ من معرفة قدر ووصف ثمنٍ غير مشارٍ لا مشار. وصحّ بثمنٍ حالٍّ، وبأجلٍ معلومٍ، ومطلقه على النّقد الغالب. وإن اختلفت النّقود فسد إن لم يبيّن. ويباع الطّعام كيلًا وجزافًا، وبإناءٍ أو حجرٍ بعينه لا يعرف قدره
[كنز الدقائق، كتاب البيوع، صفحة ٤٠٦، دار البشائر الإسلامية]
وأما شرطه فأنواع: منها في العاقد، وهو أن يكون عاقلا مميزا، ومنها في الآلة، وهو أن يكون بلفظ الماضي، ومنها في المحل وهو أن يكون مالا متقوما، وأن يكون مقدور التسليم، ومنها التراضي. ومنها شرط النفاذ، وهو الملك أو الولاية
وأما حكمه: فملك البائع الثمن، والمشتري المبيع.
[البناية شرح الهداية، كتاب البيوع، ج. ٨، صفحة ٣، دار الكتب العلمية]
وإذا أوجب أحد المتعاقدين البيع فالآخر بالخيار: إن شاء قبل في المجلس وإن شاء رده وأيهما قام من المجلس قبل القبول بطل الإيجاب وإذا حصل الإيجاب والقبول لزم البيع ولا خيار لواحد منهما إلا من عيب أو عدم رؤية
[مختصر القدوري، كتاب البيوع، صفحة ٧٨،: دار الكتب العلمية]
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
