What is the ruling on selling an "automatic retweeting" service by creating multiple accounts on Twitter, knowing that Twitter prohibits this service and considers it a violation of its policies? And what is the ruling on selling Twitter accounts after increasing their number of followers?

Selling automated "retweets" is impermissible because it involves deception, misrepresentation to people, and blameworthy satiation, in addition to the fact that website administrations prohibit this. As for selling an account with real followers, there appears to be no Sharia impediment to it, provided the website's system does not prohibit it, because it does not involve deceit or misrepresentation, and the buyer may use the account for a legitimate purpose.

However, buying fake followers is forbidden due to the deception and falsehood it entails. It falls under the Hadith: "The one who pretends to have been given what he has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood." Its perpetrator may also fall under the saying of Allah the Almighty: "and love to be praised for what they have not done." This is considered a deception of buyers and advertisers.

As for buying real followers with the aim of spreading benefit and disseminating good, it is permissible if the intention is sound and it is done seeking the countenance of Allah the Almighty. However, if the goal of buying real or fake followers is for status, fame, and showing off, it is blameworthy and forbidden because it contradicts sincerity and falls under the saying of Allah the Almighty: "Competition in worldly increase diverts you."