Question
Zaid has a factory which manufactures cosmetics. Many costumers want to become his agents. He charges them a membership fee so that they can become his agents. Is this permissible?
Answer
Charging a membership fee so somebody can become your agent will not be permissible as it is not in lieu of any goods, which therefore means it cannot fall under Bai’, nor is it in exchange for any service, and therefore cannot be called Ijaarah. Rather, it is merely the sale of the right to trade on behalf of a certain company for a wage. The sale of such a right is impermissible..
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
( لا يجوز الاعتياض عن الحقوق المجردة على الملك ) قال في البدائع الحقوق المفردة لا تحتمل التمليك ولا يجوز الصلح عنها أقول وكذا لا تضمن بالاتلاف
(رد المحتار ج 4 ص 518 سعيد)