[Extract from Preface of Islam and Business Ethics by Dr S M Hasanuzzaman,
published by the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance, London, UK 2003]

It is not proper to reject advertising altogether. There are situations where advertisement is justifiable. But there are also situations where advertisement becomes controversial or altogether unjustifiable. The way in which, and the extent to which, business enterprises advertise has seriously jeopardised the concept of the free market. Suppliers manipulate consumer choice and persuade them to choose what the supplier wants them to, not what they really need. Falsity and deceit are unjustifiable and sinful. The Qur'an warns the believers that God, the Omniscient, keeps an eye on each one of us and everything we do. Deceitful publicity persuades the consumer to buy a thing which actually does not possess the attributes conveyed in the advertisement and for which the consumer becomes agreeable to part with his money. The Prophet is reported to have condemned the traders who sell their goods with the help of a false oath. He has also given a very stern warning to those traders who sell their goods without pointing out any defects. In such a case, the purchaser has an option in Islam to rescind the contract of sale.



Source : islamic-banking.com