Fatwa ID: 08428

Written by: Mufti Sibghat Ullah

Question:

In the context of drop shipping, while adhering to the conditions of Bay’ Salam, is it strictly mandatory to inform the customer that the product is not yet in our possession? Or is compliance with the other conditions of the contract sufficient?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Yes, it is mandatory from an Islamic perspective that the customer should be aware if a buyer is in the possession of an item or not[i]. This is to avoid gharar (uncertainty) and deception in sales which may nullify the transaction[ii].

References:

[i] Fiqh ul Buyoogh. Book 2, page 1152. Maktabata Maariful Quran. Karachi.

ويشترط لصحة البيع أن يكون المبيع مملوكا للبائع، وأن يكون البائع قد قبض المبيع حقيقة أو حكما، فمن اشترى شيئا وباعه إلى أحد قبل أن يقبضه فالبيع فاسد، والقبض الحقيقي أن يكون المبيع في حيازته حسا، والقبض الحكمي التخلية، وهي أن يمكنه البائع من القبض الحسي متى شاء بدون مانع، والتخلية تقوم مقام القبض في جميع المبيعات إلا في الصرف.

For the sale to be valid, it is required that the sold item be owned by the seller, and that the seller has actually or legally taken possession of the sold item. Whoever buys something and sells it to someone before he takes possession of it, the sale is invalid. True receipt is that the item sold be in his physical possession. Judicial receipt is release, which is enabling the seller to take physical possession whenever he wants without any impediment. Release takes the place of receipt in all sales except in exchange.

[ii]Radd al-Muhtar, The Book of Sales, Discussion on Avoidance of Gharar, Volume 4, Page 160 (Dar al-Fikr Edition)

               الغرر الذي يؤدي إلى النزاع في العقد يجب رفعه ليكون العقد صحيحاً

Ambiguity that leads to disputes in a contract must be removed for the contract to be valid.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Mufti Sibghat Ullah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham