Currency for Commission

The currency limitations imposed by the government on travelers traveling abroad, has no Sharée basis. According to the Shariáh, a person traveling abroad is at liberty to take along with him any amount of currency. Therefore, it is permissible for a person to take out foreign currency on his passport for another person as a favour.

It is not permissible to take a commission in lieu of this favour. Islam encourages brotherhood and sacrifice. Charging commission for a favour is against the spirit of Islam. Since the common practice is that the commission IS IN LIEU of the right of taking out currency on the passport, therefore, any reasoning in an attempt to justify its permissibility is against the reality of the situation.

However, permissibility will occur in the instance where the passport holder himself purchases the currency. Thereafter, once this transaction is complete, he may in turn sell it to a person requiring the currency. This sale maybe at a profit. Here it is permissible since you are selling the actual foreign currency. However, just to charge a commission for taking out the currency is not permissible, as mentioned above. It however should be noted that the practice of taking out currency on another person's passport is against the law of the land and if caught, one can be put into a disgraceful situation. Therefore, it is discouraged to engage in such a practice, since a Muslim should not expose himself to position of disgrace.

And Allah Taala Knows Best.

Mufti E. Desai