What is the ruling on these dealings with foreign mobile phone companies: a- Is it permissible to sign a contract to obtain a free device, then pay the penalty clause and switch to another company to benefit from another offer, while using or selling the devices? b- What is the ruling on dealing with the other types of contracts mentioned in the question? c- Is it permissible to accept, use, and exchange gift cards for real money?

Firstly: There is no objection to the aforementioned methods of subscribing to telephone services.

Secondly: The details regarding the penalty clause in the event that the subscriber discontinues the service before the end of the contract can be found in previous fatwas.

Thirdly: The issue of the service price being paid in installments and not yet received leads to both the benefit and the price being a liability, and there is a difference of opinion and detailed discussion among scholars regarding its permissibility.

Fourthly: It is permissible to combine the sale of the phone with the lease contract for the communication service, according to the more apparent of the two opinions of the scholars.

Fifthly: It is preferable to avoid selling coupons where the goods are not specified, due to the ambiguity of the sold item therein, and to avoid disagreement and steer clear of doubtful matters.