Question Summary:
I wanted to buy an ipad. There is guy who offered me to pay on my behalf and then afterwards I can pay him back on 6 installments in 6 months. He will over charge me 17.5% of the total amount. Is this whole process according to Shari’ah.

Question Detail:

Assalam-o-Alaikum,
                    I wanted to buy an ipad. There is guy who offered me to pay on my behalf and then afterwards i can pay him back on 6 installments in 6 months. He will over charge me 17.5% of the total amount.
Is this whole process legal according to shariah.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
We understand from your question that person X would be buying an ipad on your behalf. Person X would be charging you 17.5 % over and above the full purchase price of the ipad. This is Riba and interest which has been strictly forbidden in the Shari’ah.
The Shar’ee alternative would be that person X purchase’s the ipad and thereby become the sole individual owner of the ipad. You could then purchase the ipad from person X. Person X is under no obligation to sell the ipad to you. He may accept or decline your offer of purchase.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best                                       
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.