The ruling on selling goods at varying prices to different people.

The questioner : Shaykh, regarding the issue of selling, for example, a specific item that I sold at a certain price where there is hardship. I sell it at a price that is not fixed; it does not have a specific, defined price. I sold it, for example, to Abu Ahmad at one price and to Abu Harith at another. Is there any harm in this?

The Shaykh : If the question ends there, the answer is that it is permissible and there is no harm. However, the custom in such sales at two different prices, which is permissible, may be exploited by some sellers of weak character, leading them to commit evil. From the perspective that he sold it at a higher price than the price at which he sold it to Zayd, this is only because he exploited the buyer's good heart and imposed his own will on him, which is not permissible. But if a good person comes and you sell to him at a normal price, say one hundred, and then a merchant comes... they say in Syria, "Let him be like Abu Ahmad," and you raise the price and enter into bargaining with him until the Syrian proverb is fulfilled: "The sale is not valid until the foreheads of both sweat." In that case, you may profit as much as you wish from him.

The questioner : Even if the price is higher than what I have.

The Shaykh : Yes, that is what I mean.

The questioner : If he does not ask... for example, he does not inquire.

The Shaykh : That is the problem. Perhaps I will tell you a story. You should not exploit his lack of inquiry; that means you will exploit his good nature.

The questioner : He says, "The lowest price you will sell at, give it to me."

The Shaykh : I will tell you a story. We had a friend among our brothers whom we call "Shaykhs," meaning our students. He lived in Tartus, in Syria, and used to come from there to attend the lessons in Damascus. He was a good, simple man. What was his trade? What did he do? He bought and sold. He bought, for example, twenty or thirty caps and looked for people to sell them to. He also sold oil in cans, and so on. He did not have a specific profession or a particular trade. I learned that he had brought cans of oil, and this oil from Tartus, that region like Latakia, is renowned for being pure. I said to him, "Make a note for me for one can," and I did not know if he had brought other things. He asked, "How much do you want?" I said, "Please." Two or three days passed, and I do not know how the opportunity arose, but I understood that he sold a can to someone else at a lower price than the price he sold it to me. I could not control myself except to be frank with him. I said, "I was informed that you sold it for such and such. Is that true?" He said, "Yes." He did not care; he was not aware that there was anything wrong; it was completely natural to him. He said, "Yes." I said to him, "How can you do this, my brother? I am a Muslim, and my leadership and trust in you mean that you should have considered me, as people say, 'This is our Shaykh and our teacher.' I do not want special consideration, but you should have taken the same price as you sold for, rather than imposing on me and taking extra from me." He said, "You did not tell us." That is the point. Now, you did not tell us that the profit is unlimited. I said to him, "Apply this with me." So, this is what one should fear: that a person exploits the buyer's good heart and trust in the seller and imposes his will on him.

The questioner : The proverb says, "Do not slaughter the one who has entrusted you with a slaughter."

The questioner : For example, a specific price at which he sells to most people if they agree.

The Shaykh : Yes, that is it.

The questioner : In trade, you sell at a certain price on one day, but there comes a time when you are forced to lower the price due to the passing of time or some other reason. Is there any harm in this?

The Shaykh: There is nothing wrong with it.

The questioner : There is nothing wrong with it.
Al-Halabi : The report frequently mentioned about 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he would pass through the markets, and if he saw a seller who did not know the rules of buying and selling, he would hit him with a stick. In terms of authenticity, how authentic is it?

The Shaykh : He would hit him if he did not know what?
Al-Halabi : If he did not know the jurisprudence of buying and selling, the jurisprudence of sales.

The Shaykh : I don’t remember.
Al-Halabi : If the rule, Shaykh, regarding reports (athar), but for the sake of benefit.

The Shaykh: No, I do not remember.
Al-Halabi : May Allah reward you with good.