A plot of land next to my house is for sale, but if the owner learns that I want it, he raises the price. Is it permissible for me to have someone else go to him, and if he agrees to the sale, we all come together, and then he cannot raise the price of the land?
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The questioner : A plot of land next to my house is for sale, but if the owner learns that I want it, he raises the price. Is it permissible for me to have someone else go to him, and if he agrees to the sale, we all come together, and then he cannot raise the price of the land? I ask for your guidance on this?
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no blame on you if you know that the land owner would raise the price if he knew you wanted to buy it, to appoint someone to buy it from him. This is because agency in buying and selling is among the permissible matters.
It is well known that the principal may appoint an agent on his behalf for various purposes, and this purpose is one of the intended ones. It is surprising that what the questioner mentioned may actually be true, which is regrettable, because it is more fitting that if the neighbor is the one who wants to buy the land, the owner should honor him and lower the price for him, preferring him over others, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 47a. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no blame on you if you know that the land owner would raise the price if he knew you wanted to buy it, to appoint someone to buy it from him. This is because agency in buying and selling is among the permissible matters.
It is well known that the principal may appoint an agent on his behalf for various purposes, and this purpose is one of the intended ones. It is surprising that what the questioner mentioned may actually be true, which is regrettable, because it is more fitting that if the neighbor is the one who wants to buy the land, the owner should honor him and lower the price for him, preferring him over others, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbour with kindness
من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الأخر فليُكرم جارهThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.