What is the ruling on working for companies that offer "profit for clicking on ads" or "profit from referrals," given the presence of impermissible advertisements, the possibility of earning from referrals who view impermissible advertisements, the possibility of buying referrals (whether virtual or real), and the mixing of the company's income sources with illicit money, especially since some of the advertisements promote companies in the same field (profit from referrals) or gambling sites?

The question included both permissible and prohibited matters. As for what is permissible, it is taking a commission for clicking on permissible advertisements that do not promote prohibited things, and taking a commission for bringing customers without paying fees, while alerting customers about prohibited advertisements.

As for the prohibited scenarios included in the question, they are: Paying fees for clicks to multiply the commission. Buying fake or real customers for profit. Taking a commission for browsing prohibited advertisements. Misleading customers by giving them the impression that the company has many visitors.

Based on this, it is not permissible to take a commission for a prohibited act or to assist in it. The ruling on dealing with mixed funds is explained in Fatwa No. 33204.

According to the fatwa of Dr. Sami bin Ibrahim Al-Suwailem: 1. Browsing websites that offer commissions for browsing advertisements: If they are without any subscription or fees, they are permissible, provided that the advertisements are free from Shariah prohibitions. If they are in exchange for non-refundable subscription fees, they are prohibited because they involve usury and gambling (maysir), as the profits depend on the subscriptions of new members, which makes them unlawful appropriation of money and economically unviable. 2. Referral system: If the referral commission is for new members who do not pay subscription fees for browsing, it is permissible. If the commissions are for new members' subscriptions, they are prohibited because they involve usury and gambling (maysir). Referral commission is permissible if the intermediary is not required to pay a price; otherwise, it involves currency exchange (naqd bi-naqd). 3. For those who have engaged in prohibited transactions: They must repent and seek forgiveness. What has passed is forgiven for them, and it is recommended for them to give charity as much as they can.