What is the ruling on a technology company dealing with customers by offering solutions that include devices and software which the company does not own, then acquiring them from other merchants for a profit margin, with a commitment to provide a substitute or refund the money if the item is unavailable? And is this transaction considered a salam sale, a sale by an unauthorized agent (fuduli), an agency for selling, or an agency for buying?

It is permissible to deal with a customer who wishes to purchase devices that the store does not own in three forms:

1. Agency for a Fee (Al-Wikalah bi Ajrah): You inform the customer of the true price of the device and undertake to purchase it for him in exchange for a fixed fee or a percentage of the price. The customer is not allowed to back out if the device is as he requested. The agent is entrusted and does not guarantee anything except in cases of transgression or negligence. 2. Murabahah Sale (Al-Bay' bi al-Murabahah): You purchase the device and then sell it to the customer for a known profit. You must not take money from him at the promise stage; rather, you purchase it with your own money, and upon acquiring it, you sell it to the customer. It is preferable to stipulate the option of condition (Khiyar al-Shart) when you purchase, so that you can return the device if the customer backs out. 3. Salam Contract (Aqd al-Salam): This is the sale of a device with specified characteristics, to be delivered at a known future date, on condition that the customer pays the full price at the contract session. If he refuses to pay the full price, the Salam contract is not valid. However, if the customer desires something to be manufactured, it is an Istisna' contract (manufacturing contract), and it is not required for the entire capital to be paid in advance.