Trade

Forgetting to inform the customer of the different sizes of the item for sale

1 week ago By user2

Q: I sell products online through Etsy. I sold a desk mat through Bay‘ al-Salam. The mat has three sizes, but I accidentally forgot to add the size variations to the listing. The displayed price was for the smallest size, and I delivered that smallest size to the customer. I did not intend to deceive the customer; it was an honest mistake. The customer accepted the item without requesting a refund. 

Is the Salam transaction valid, and is my earning halal? Does the hadith that Allah has pardoned mistakes and forgetfulness apply in this situation?

Shopkeeper allowing one to take items and put the money in the till

2 weeks ago By user2

Q: I work as a teacher at a Madrasah. The Madrasah has a tuckshop. When I buy from the tuckshop, the shopkeeper (an elderly Moulana) allows me to take what I want to buy and pay the money directly to the till. In fact, he told me to do this once or twice. There is no loss to the tuckshop in my doing this. Generally, the shopkeeper doesn't even know what I bought since I paid directly to the till. Is this permissible?

One's supplier delivering directly to the customer without one taking possession

3 weeks ago By user2

Q: I want to ask -  is drop shipping permissible or not? Let me explain the process: 

When a customer places an order, I contact the supplier to say that a customer has placed a specific order. The supplier then charges me the cost of that product from my bank account and then delivers it to the customer. So in that way, is it permissible or not?

Buying a bag of goods without knowing its contents

1 month ago By user2

Q: There is a app called Refreshi, this is how it works, you pay a certain amount and get a bag of food/dessert etc... but you don't know exactly what. This is how it is written. 

"Enjoy a tasty mix of baked goods. R68 You could receive, donuts, croissants, danishes, and/or pastries. Every bag is a surprise and delight to your tastebuds." 

Is this permissible?

Selling malic acid to breweries and to manufacture sweets

2 months ago By user2

Q: I am interested in purchasing a company that manufactures malic acid. The acid is used in the manufacture of sweets to make them taste sour and also used in the manufacture of beer to give it a sour taste. 

The main customer base of the company is the breweries. 

Will it be permissible for me to purchase the company and maintain the same customer base?

Promoting women’s modest clothing on female models

2 months ago By user2

Q: I would like to seek guidance regarding promoting a women’s modest clothing business on Instagram. 

1. Is it permissible to advertise modest clothing using female models if their faces are covered or not shown at all (for example, only showing the lower body such as the outfit from the shoulders down or waist down)? 

2. If using human models in this way is not permissible, would it be allowed to use AI-generated images to promote the clothing, where the “model” is not a real person and the face and eyes are also covered or not shown (only the lower body is visible)? 

My intention is to maintain modesty while still presenting the clothing in a presentable and appealing way for customers.

Charging the customer handling fees on items returned

3 months ago By user

Q: Is it permissible to charge a general 15% handling fee for all returns for admin and transportation costs? 

E.g. The seller is in Durban and the buyer is in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The seller incurred admin and transport costs to get the goods delivered and will incur costs to get the goods returned. There could be various reasons for the returns - incorrect goods supplied, excess stock bought, damaged goods received, buyer cannot sell the goods etc. 

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