Question:

A person received a taxi permit that the government gives out to the taxi drivers with which they can legally start a taxi service. However he does not have the money to purchase a taxi. So he gives the permit to an acquaintance that has the money to buy one. He purchases a taxi. The permit holder takes $2000 per annum for the permit. What is the Shar’ee ruling on taking this fee for the permit? Sometimes they agree on 25% of the profit as a fee. Is this permissible according to Shari’ah?

NB. The permit holder has to annually take the taxi for inspection and renewal of the permit. In case of an accident the permit holder also has to present himself, since this taxi is registered on his name in the government registry.

Answer: حامدا ومصليا ومسلما
None of the above scenarios are valid.

هذه الرخصة ان كانت باسم رجل مخصوص حتى لا تسمح الحكومة لرجل اخر باستعمالها فلا شبهة في عدم جواز بيعها لان بيعه يؤدي حينئذ الى الكذب والخديعة فان مشتري الرخصة سيستعملها باسم البائع لا باسم نفسه ولان الاذن انما حصل لرجل مخصوص فلا يحل له ان ينقل ذلك الى غيره (تكملة فتح الملهم 1:365)

And Allah Ta’aalaa knows best
(Hazrat Mufti) Ahmed Khanpuri (May Allah preserve him)
The answer is correct.
(Mufti) Abbas Dawud Bismillah (May Allah preserve him)
Mahmoodul Fataawaa (2/481-482)