Fatwa ID: 08334
Answered by: Mufti Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Question:
In drop shipping, if the drop shipper pays the supplier for postage, and the shipping label is made in the drop shippers name, and if a parcel is lost, its the drop shippers loss and not the suppliers, then it should be okay right?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It should be noted that the conventional drop shipping system is not Shariah-compliant.
However, in this case, it appears to be permissible and resembles a Bayʿ al-Salam (forward sale). Therefore, the following conditions must be observed for it to remain Shariah-compliant:
- The type (genus) of the item is known.
- The category (kind) is known.
- The description is clearly specified.
- The quantity is known.
- The delivery time is specified.
- The price is known at the time of contract.
- The place of delivery is designated, particularly when transport and delivery are the seller’s responsibility.
As for liability, if the goods are not delivered to the buyer, the seller will bear the liability.
References:
«الأصل» لمحمد بن الحسن (11/ 250):
«بماله. فإن هلك المبيع عند البائع قبل أن يقبضه المشتري الآخر فهو من مال البائع، وثمنه عليه. ولا يضمن المشتري الآخر للآمر ثمن ذلك؛ لأنه لم يقبضه.»
«تحفة الفقهاء» (2/ 41):
«وَلَو هلك الْمَبِيع قبل التَّسْلِيم فالهلاك يكون على البَائِع يَعْنِي يسْقط الثّمن وينفسخ العقد»
«مختصر القدوري» (ص88):
«ولا يصح السلم عند أبي حنيفة إلا بسبع شرائط تذكر العقد: جنس معلوم ونوع معلوم وصفة معلومة وأجل معلوم ومعرفة مقدار رأس المال إذا كان مما يتعلق العقد على قدره كالمكيل والموزون والمعدود وتسمية المكان الذي يوافيه فيه إذا كان له حمل ومؤنة»
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Mufti Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
