If a man buys goods in large boxes and then sells them in small boxes, is this considered cheating in weights and measures?
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The questioner : May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
A man bought goods in large boxes, meaning vegetables in big boxes, and then he put them in smaller boxes, smaller than the big ones, and sold them. Is this cheating in weights and measures?
The Shaykh : Yes, first: the brother began his question with the greeting, and we have said previously that this is not a recommended practice (sunnah). The greeting is for the one who arrives, but the one who is already with you does not need to greet. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the place of questioning without greeting first. But considering that he is a student of knowledge, I say: Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The questioner : We are coming from far away, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, but he has been with me for a while.
As for what concerns his question, we say: If this man misleads people into thinking that he bought these boxes for ten, for example, per box, while he actually bought the large box for ten and divided it into two, making the small box worth five, but he misleads people and perhaps tells them that the price of the box is ten, then there is no doubt that this is forbidden (haram) for him, and the buyer, if he learns of the situation, has the right to return the goods. However, if he does not mislead people and it is not known among people that the large box is ten per box, then there is no blame on him, because he tells the buyer, "This box is ten; if you want to take it, take it, otherwise leave it." Do you understand? Good.
And now the time has ended because the call to prayer (adhan) has been made. May Allah help us and you to remember Him, thank Him, and worship Him well. May Allah reward you with good, and may He benefit us and you with what He has taught us.
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
A man bought goods in large boxes, meaning vegetables in big boxes, and then he put them in smaller boxes, smaller than the big ones, and sold them. Is this cheating in weights and measures?
The Shaykh : Yes, first: the brother began his question with the greeting, and we have said previously that this is not a recommended practice (sunnah). The greeting is for the one who arrives, but the one who is already with you does not need to greet. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the place of questioning without greeting first. But considering that he is a student of knowledge, I say: Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The questioner : We are coming from far away, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, but he has been with me for a while.
As for what concerns his question, we say: If this man misleads people into thinking that he bought these boxes for ten, for example, per box, while he actually bought the large box for ten and divided it into two, making the small box worth five, but he misleads people and perhaps tells them that the price of the box is ten, then there is no doubt that this is forbidden (haram) for him, and the buyer, if he learns of the situation, has the right to return the goods. However, if he does not mislead people and it is not known among people that the large box is ten per box, then there is no blame on him, because he tells the buyer, "This box is ten; if you want to take it, take it, otherwise leave it." Do you understand? Good.
And now the time has ended because the call to prayer (adhan) has been made. May Allah help us and you to remember Him, thank Him, and worship Him well. May Allah reward you with good, and may He benefit us and you with what He has taught us.
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.