Fatwa ID: 06751
Answered by: Alimah Jannatun Nessa
Question:
I purchased a mobile phone through the Facebook marketplace. I paid money and bought the phone from a person.
Later I found out the phone is blacklisted. So it’s blocked by the network, which may be due to lost or stolen.
I tried contacting that person, in order to return the device and get my money back. but can’t get through to him.
In this situation, can I sell this phone to a person who buys blacklisted devices? So I could get my money back.
I also felt that if in case it was a stolen device, I should make arrangements to return the device to its owner, but also feared that if I started doing that, I would be worried about getting into unwanted trouble like, going to the police, inquiries and stuff like that, which will put me under unwanted issues.
So from the Sharia perspective, what am I supposed to do in this situation?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Blacklisted refers to the act of being denied access or privileges due to being associated with suspicious or illegal activities.
From an Islamic perspective, it is important to uphold ethical principles and abide by the laws of the land.
The teachings of Islam encourage people to respect the law and uphold justice, honesty, and integrity in all of their dealings because doing so is essential for preserving a morally upright character and fostering a just society.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do. [Surah 5:Verse 8]
Therefore, as you have discovered that the item you purchased is blacklisted, you must report it to the appropriate authorities (police) or contact the seller or manufacturer to understand the reasons behind its blacklisting.
Additionally, taking necessary steps such as seeking a refund or replacement can help mitigate any potential legal or security risks associated with owning a blacklisted item.
You should not attempt to sell the phone to anyone unless you are certain that they are authorised to handle blacklisted items, as doing so can make you an accomplice in illegal activities and could result in serious consequences.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ
Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. [Suarh 5:Verse 2]
It is important that you prioritise your safety and the safety of others by cooperating with the authorities and following their guidance on how to handle the situation appropriately.
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Alimah Jannatun Nessa
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[Radd ul Muhtar, volume 8, page 117, Daar al kutub al ilmiyyah]
امر السلطان انما ينفذ اذا وافق الشرع، والا فلا.
[Surah 5:Verse 8]
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is Aware of what you do.
[Suarh 5:Verse 2]
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُحِلُّوا۟ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلْهَدْىَ وَلَا ٱلْقَلَـٰٓئِدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَٰنًۭا ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَٱصْطَادُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا۟ ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
O believers! Do not violate Allah’s rituals of pilgrimage˺, the sacred months, the sacrificial animals, the ˹offerings decorated with garlands, nor those ˹pilgrims˺ on their way to the Sacred House seeking their Lord’s bounty and pleasure. When the pilgrimage has ended, you are allowed to hunt. Do not let the hatred of a people who once barred you from the Sacred Mosque provoke you to transgress. Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.
