Bay' al-Musytarikin wa al-Mutabi'in fi Wasa'il at-Tawasul al-Ijtima'i wa Mada Inthibaqi an-Najsy 'alaih: Dirasah Fiqhiyyah Mu'ashirah

This thesis examines the practice of selling followers and subscribers on social media platforms from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence, through an analysis of the extent to which the rulings of najash (artificial demand or deceptive bidding) apply to it as one of the prohibited sales in Islamic law. The study is based on the widespread prevalence of this practice in the contemporary digital environment and its transformation into an organized economic activity within the framework of electronic commerce, where digital indicators such as the number of followers, views, and engagements have become economically influential in marketing and commercial decisions. The study aims to clarify the nature of selling followers and subscribers in terms of its operational mechanisms and the nature of the contractual object, then to analyze the extent to which the elements of najash apply to this practice, and to determine the resulting legal ruling and its impact on the validity of the contract according to Islamic jurisprudence. The research employs a qualitative method combining library research by referring to Qur’anic texts, Prophetic traditions, classical juristic works, legal maxims, and contemporary fatwas with field research based on direct observation and interviews with sellers and buyers of such services. The findings indicate that the sale of followers and subscribers takes various forms, including service panels, software sales, and direct injection services. However, the dominant form involves selling artificial numerical results that do not represent genuine interaction. The study further reveals that the elements of najash are largely present in these practices through the creation of false impressions of popularity or demand intended to influence others’ decisions. Moreover, the issue extends beyond najash to the invalidity of essential contractual conditions, such as the absence of full ownership, the lack of a lawful and stable benefit, and the presence of deception. Consequently, the study concludes that this practice, particularly in its common form involving manipulation of digital indicators, is prohibited under Islamic law, and that the contracts involved are void due to their failure to meet the required legal conditions.