Fatwa by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani

Buying and selling through Internet is not impermissible in itself. However, all the basic conditions for a valid sale must be present. Therefore, one cannot sell what he does not own and possess. If you have purchased some shares or any commodity through the Internet you cannot sell it unless you have taken its delivery in a manner that its risk has been transferred to you. After you have taken delivery you can sell it at any price you agree with your purchaser even though it is through the Internet.

The best way to avail of the services of a credit card company is to have a direct debit arrangement with the issuer of the card. It means that as soon as an amount is due on the card holder the isssuer receives it by debiting the card holder’s account with it or any other bank. This is to eliminate the chances of the accrual of any interest on the payable amount in case of delay in payment.However, if direct debit arrangement is not possible for any reason purchasing through a credit card is permissible only when the card holder is fully confident that he will pay the bill to the issuer within the due date and there is no apprehension that any interest will accrue with delay in payment.