Question:

What is the ruling of shill bidding on ebay?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The Answer:

Shill bidding has been explicitly prohibited by the Prophet ﷺ.
Shill bidding or artificial bidding is against the policies of eBay.  To breach an agreement after agreeing to it is not permissible unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The jurists have categorically stated that shill bidding in order to inflate the price over its market value and worth is severely disliked.  To engage in such a practice and to prompt others to participate in such activity is sinful.[1]

And Allah Ta’ālā Alone Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam,
www.darulfiqh.com
 
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