The Ruling on Discounts Conducted by Commercial Establishments

The questioner:
That pertains to discounts. What is the ruling on the discounts conducted by commercial establishments?

The Shaykh:
Discounts are also a type of prize. However, one might say, for example, "I am lowering the price. I have the right to lower it. I may sell at the full price or sell at a lower price." One might say this appears to be the case on the surface. But in reality, he did not do this unless he knew that he would profit. This is a matter of deception, not truth. It is not possible for him to lower the price and lose money. He must be a gainer. He lowers the price on one item and raises the price on another, or he lowers the price and draws in many customers because, when they see the discount, they buy goods in large quantities until what is in his shop is exhausted, and he profits through this means.
So the result is that this also contains what it contains. And although in my opinion it is lighter than the first, it still contains what it contains. A person should buy and sell with honest trading, free from any doubt, free from any risk, and free from harming the other market owners. Yes.

The questioner:
Now, regarding the customers, what is the ruling concerning them?

The Shaykh:
They should avoid this matter. They should avoid this matter and not come to them. If the people had not followed these shop owners and their discounts and prizes, they would not have done this. If they had boycotted them and cut off dealings with them, this manipulation would have ceased in the markets. Yes.