Question
A shopkeeper has three prices for his goods. Example: The cash price of a cupboard is R900. If it is bought on 3 months credit, the price on the invoice states: R900 + R300 = R1200. If the time is 6 months, on the invoice is written: R900 + R600 = R1500. If the terms are 9 months, it will be written: R900 + R1000 = R1900. Is this method permissible?
Answer
It is not permissible to state the price as is described in the question. The price should be clearly stated: R1200., or R1500 or R1900. While stating the price with clarity is legally in terms of the Shariah permissible and valid, it should be remembered that Islam places considerable emphasis on the moral aspect. It is cruel and exploitive to charge R1900 for the R900 cupboard simply because the poor customer is unable to pay cash. Morally speaking this too is a kind of 'riba'. It is heartless.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 22 No 05
- PDF page
- 4
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).