❖ Islamic Ruling on Accepting Payment for Hotel Reviews ❖
❀ Question:
If a hotel owner asks someone to write a review for the purpose of promoting the hotel and offers payment in return — while the reviewer has only seen the hotel in pictures and describes its features based solely on those images — is it permissible to accept such payment?
✿ Response by:
Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (حفظه الله) and Researcher Nu’man Khaleeq (حفظه الله)
① Ruling on Giving Testimony Based on Images:
Such an act is akin to giving testimony or bearing witness, and it is not appropriate to do so solely based on images.
✔ If the reviewer clarifies that their comments are based only on pictures and not personal experience, then to a certain extent, there may be room for leniency.
✔ However, the preferred and correct method is for the reviewer to visit the hotel in person and provide a review based on direct observation. This ensures that the review is complete and accurate.
② The Shariah Perspective on Receiving Payment:
If the payment from the hotel owner is exclusively for an honest review, then the following conditions apply:
✔ The review must be based on truthfulness and integrity.
✘ If the payment is conditioned upon writing a positive review, regardless of the actual quality of the hotel’s services — even if they are poor or objectionable — then accepting such payment is not permissible in Shariah.
✘ This practice falls under deception and goes against Islamic teachings, as it involves concealing the truth.
③ Summary:
❖ Writing a review based solely on images is inappropriate unless it is clearly stated that the opinion is not based on personal observation.
❖ Detailed reviews without an actual visit are not acceptable in Shariah.
❖ Receiving payment is permissible only if the review is truthful and honest.
❖ If the payment is tied to giving a guaranteed positive review, even when the reality is different, then taking such payment is Haram.
