What is the ruling of Islamic law on two transactions: first, an agreement to purchase a property with a 20% down payment (earnest money), and postponing the completion of the sale until another buyer is found who will pay the full amount, with the transfer of ownership directly from the first owner to the second buyer, and the remainder being paid to the first owner? Second, working as a real estate agent (broker) where an agreement is made with the owner for a specific price, and any amount exceeding this price becomes profit for the agent due to their ability to find foreign buyers?
Your father may sell the land if the first sale was concluded and it became his property and he took possession of it, even if a portion of its price remains due from him. However, if he has not taken possession of it and it is still in the seller's possession, he may not sell it; this is due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibition of profiting from what is not guaranteed and selling what one does not possess. It is also permissible to say: "Sell this land for such and such, and whatever exceeds that is yours."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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