I am in doubt and want to query if my earnings are halal or not. I actually buy and sell goods such as Apple IPhones and IPad from Asian guy. Sometimes they are brand new sometimes used. The guy basically tells me that phones are not stolen as stolen phones get blocked which no longer works in the UK. So far all phones i bought from him works as I had no complaints from my customers.

He gets them every other day therefore it is creating doubt to me weather they are stolen or not. In case if he doesn’t steal and buys from third party who might have stolen them. What is ruling upon me?
Is it permissible for me to still buy them if i am not sure? Or shall I take his words as he says they are not stolen. Please kindly help i want to live halal way.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

It is a desired quality for Muslims to have good thoughts (Hussn-Zann) about every Muslims. (Maariful Qur’an p.138 v.8)

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Qur’an has said,

“O you who believe! Abstain from suspicions. Some thoughts are sinful.” (Surah Hujurat v.12)

A person merely being a Muslim is sufficient for entertaining good thoughts for a person as one requires proof to have evil thoughts for a person.

Regarding your situation, you should not assume the Iphones or Ipads to be stolen property without any proof or evidence. As I mentioned above we should have good thoughts about a Muslim and take his word for it.

If however, you have reasonable enough evidence that you are buying from a person who is stealing it from others or he himself is buying stolen property then such a transaction will be considered invalid and the money gained will be unlawful as one of the conditions of a sale being valid is that the seller should be the owner of what he is selling. (Mukhtasar Quduuri p.62)

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “He who buys the stolen property, with the knowledge that it was stolen, shares in the sin and shame of stealing. (Sunan Baihaqi)

Furthermore, buying from the thief is helping him in sin and transgression, and is encouraging the thief to carry on with what he is doing.

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Qur’an has said,

“Help you one another in virtue and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression” (Surah Maaidah v.2)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.