Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As Salam Aleikum Brother

is it lawfull for a muslim mercant to fix two kind of prices for the same itme, one for those who pay in cash and the other for those who take the item in credit and pay 2 to 3 months later.

There may be some gramaticla mistakes. Salam

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Answer:

Is it lawful to keep two prices cash credit

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If a merchant keeps two prices for the same item, one for those who pay in cash and the other for those who purchase the item on credit…..that indeed would not be lawful in Shariah for that then would be a manifestation of the abomination of ‘riba’, something which is categorically prohibited for the believers.

But if the merchant has one sale price for the item, and incidentally a buyer offers to pay cash, the merchant is well within his rights to give the cash-buyer some discount on the sale-price if he so wills….such a transaction would be lawful in Shariah.

But if the merchant intentionally keeps two (or more prices) for the same item, one for cash, and the other price/s for those who buy on 1-month credit, or 2-months credit, or 3-months credit, etc.……then without an iota of a doubt, it would constitute a manifestation of ‘riba’.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan