The Requirement of Ownership in Real Estate Transactions in the Metaverse from the Perspective of Imamiyyah Jurisprudence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Graduate of Level 4 in Fiqh and Usūl, Seminary of Qom, & Researcher at ‘A’eme ‘Athār Fiqhi Research Center

2 Graduate of Level 4 in Fiqh and Usūl, Seminary of Qom

Abstract

Given that the virtual space, particularly the metaverse technology, is considered one of the novel topics, it is necessary to examine its aspects from an Islamic Fiqhi perspective. The metaverse is a digital space that deals with various technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, digital currencies, and the internet. This digital world is interconnected through blockchain, virtual reality, augmented reality, online games, and digital assets, and it is claimed to have numerous applications and benefits in education, medicine, economy, entertainment, etc. One of the issues related to the metaverse space is the purchase of real estate in such a space, as the question arises as to whether the conditions of the counterparts, including the requirement of ownership, apply to real estate and land in the metaverse or not. In this paper, using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on library resources, after explaining the conditions for ownership, it is proven that the real estate traded in the metaverse have both fiqhi and legal ownership. Furthermore, by examining the major premise of the requirement of the validity of a transaction on the ownership of the counterparts, it has been clarified that the lack of ownership of these real estates does not prevent the generalization of the validity of the transaction to them.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. The Holy Quran

    1. Ansari, M. b. M. A. (1991 AH). Kitab al-Makasib (by Shaykh al-Ansari, Old Edition). Qom: Manshurat Dar al-Dhakha'ir.
    2. Araki, M. A. (1415 AH). Kitab al-Bay'. Qom: Mu'assasat fi Tariq al-Haqq.
    3. Araki, M. A. (2022). Trading in Metaverse. Retrieved from: https://arzdigital.com/trading-virtual-land-in-metavars-is-not-legal-religiously/, Accessed on December 01, 2023.
    4. Firuzabadi, M. b. Y. (1990 AH). Al-Qamus al-Muhit. Beirut: Al-Risalah Institution for Printing, Publishing and Distribution.
    5. Hairi, S. K. H. (1423 AH). Fiqh al-'Uqud. 2nd edition. Qom: Majma' al-Fikr al-Islami.
    6. Helli, 'A. H. b. Y. b. M. A. (1414 AH). Tadhkirat al-Fuqaha' (al-Hadithah edition). Qom: Mu'assasat Al al-Bayt 'alayhim al-Salam.
    7. Ibn al-Athir, M. i. M. (1367 AH). Al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith wa al-Athar. Qom: Ismailiyyan.
    8. Ibn Manzur, M. i. M. (1414 AH). Lisan al-Arab. 3rd edition. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr li al-Tiba'ah wa al-Nashr.
    9. Iraqi, A. Z. a.-D. (1982). Sharh Tabsirat al-Muta'allimin. Qom: The Islamic Publication Office affiliated with the Society of Teachers of the Qom Seminary.
    10. Iravani, A. i. '. a.-H. N. (1406 AH). Hashiyah Makasib. Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
    11. Jawaheri, I. i. H. (1410 AH). Taj al-Lughah wa Siha al-'Arabiyyah. Beirut: Dar al-'Ilm li al-Malayin.
    12. Khomeini, S. R. M. (1415 AH). Al-Makasib al-Muharramah. Tehran: Institute for the Publication and Distribution of Imam Khomeini’s Works.
    13. Khomeini, S. R. M. (1421 AH). Kitab al-Bay' (li al-Imam al-Khomeini). Tehran: Institute for the Publication and Distribution of Imam Khomeini’s Works.
    14. Khu'i, S. A. a.-Q. M. (1417 AH). Misbah al-Fiqahah. Qom: Mu'assasat Ansariyan.
    15. Khu'i, S. A. a.-Q. M. (1997 AH). Al-Tanqih fi Sharh al-'Urwat al-Wuthqa, Qom: Institute for the Revival of the Imam al-Khoei's Works.
    16. Khu'i, S. A. a.-Q. M. (2005). Al-Mustanad fi Sharh al-'Urwat al-Wuthqa. Qom: Institute for the Revival of the Imam al-Khoei's Works.
    17. Khurasani, A. M. K. i. H. (1406 AH). Hashiyah al-Makasib. Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
    18. Mahmud, 'A. a.-R. (n.d.). Mu'jam al-Mustalahat wa al-Alfaz al-Fiqhiyyah.
    19. Muntaziri Najaf-Abadi, H. 'A. (1995 AH). Dirasat fi al-Makasib al-Muharramah. Qom: Nashr al-Tafakur.
    20. Na'ini, M. M. H. G. (1993 AH). Al-Makasib wa al-Bay'. Qom: The Islamic Publication Office affiliated with the Society of Teachers of the Qom Seminary.
    21. Na'ini, M. M. H. G. (1994). Muniyyat al-Talib fi Hashiyat al-Makasib. Tehran: Al-Maktabah al-Muhammadiyyah.
    22. Najafi, M. H. (1984 AH). Jawaherat al-Kalam fi Sharh Shara'i' al-Islam. Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.
    23. Naraghi, M. A. b. M. M. (1995 AH). Mustanad al-Shi'ah fi Ahkam al-Shari'ah. Qom: Al-Beyt Institute.
    24. Sa'di, A. J. (1988 AH). An Encyclopedia of Fiqhi Words and Expressions. Second Edition. Qom: Dar al-Fikr.
    25. Sajjadian, M., Firouzi, M. A., & PourAhmad, A. (2021). An Introduction to the Concepts and Foundations of "Cryptovian" and "Metaverse" Cities, with the Aim of Conscious Utilization in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Geography and Urban Planning, Zagros Perspective. 49(13)., 7-40.
    26. Tabrizi, J. i. 'A. (1416 AH). Irshad al-Talib ila al-Ta'liq 'ala al-Makasib. 3rd edition. Qom: Ismailiyyan.
    27. Torabi, M. A., Hassanqolipour Yasouri, T., & Ja'fari Zare', M. (2023). Conceptualization and Theorization of Avatar Marketing in Iran. Business Management. 56(15). 185-216.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 20 September 2023
  • Revise Date: 09 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 13 January 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics