Is it permissible for a person to rent out his shop to a foreigner in the name of his sponsor, then transfer the sponsorship to his own name in exchange for a monthly sum, while the shop remains in the owner's name, and without the owner participating in the tenant's trade?
It is impermissible to take money in exchange for sponsorship (kafala) or a commercial registration, as the state prohibits this, and it entails bringing about benefits and averting harms. The fundamental principle for sponsorship is that it is a voluntary act, for which it is impermissible to take compensation. However, it is permissible to take the actual rent for the shop, provided that it is not a cover for compensation for sponsorship.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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