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:

WHAT DOES THE WORD ISTISNA STANDS FOR ?

AND HOW IT IS  DIFFERENT FROM SALE OR MURABAHA?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

What is Istisna Murabaha

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.

Your Question: WHAT DOES THE WORD ISTISNA STANDS FOR ?

The literal meaning of the Arabic term ‘Istisna’ is an ‘exception’.

For example:

• Everything is on sale except this item….that item would be the ‘istisna’ or exception.
• Every car is sold except this one…..that car would be the ‘istisna’ or exception.
• Your passport is valid for travel to any country except country ‘X’….that country ‘X’ would be the ‘istisna’ or exception.

Your Question: ….AND HOW IT IS  DIFFERENT FROM SALE OR MURABAHA?

Murabaha by definition is a sale of a Shariah-compliant commodity where the seller expressly mentions the cost he has incurred on the commodity to be sold, and sells it to a buyer by adding some profit or mark-up which is known to the buyer. Such a sale where the ‘cost incurred and profit charged is honestly declared’ by the seller to the buyer is known as ‘Murabaha’.

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