Is it permissible for a seller to ask about the price of a commodity or service from other sellers directly or through an intermediary, and is that considered espionage?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Searching for the prices of goods or services from others for someone working in the same field has two scenarios: First, if this inquiry is not disliked in the market, then there is no harm in it. Second, if it is disliked, then it is not permissible to question them in a hidden manner; because it is a type of harm and espionage which is forbidden by Allah’s saying: "And do not spy."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/82680
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 82680
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy