Question
We have a vehicle repair business. Often we use customers' cars to drive home as this allows us to test-drive the car as well as go home and to the masjid for salaahs. Sometimes with the same customer's car, we take tools home when needed. Sometimes if the customer's vehicle is a bakkie, we use that bakkie to pick up building supplies etc. We subtract some amount from their invoices but do not inform them. Are any of these actions jaaiz? Sometimes inevitably, some minor damage is caused to the customer's car. (like denting and scratches). We subtract from the customer's invoice proportionately without informing the customer. Is this jaaiz? Is there any other way to avoid confrontation? Customers are sometimes unable to pay for the repairs done to their cars. In most cases, they end up selling their car to us or we take possession of the vehicle during which time a storage fee is levied (we have sign boards stating this). In this case, is it permissible to sell/ scrap the car to defray expenses? These vehicles are often kept for years without contact from the owner.
Answer
All of this is not permissible. The vehicles may not be used at all. The customer must be notified or the minor damage must be properly repaired. Gross abuse of Amaanat is being perpetrated.
If the customer fails to pay, his vehicle may be sold, but at the proper market value. The excess must be given to him. Since there was no agreement regarding storage fees, it will
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 27 No 11
- PDF page
- 3
Verbatim verified against the source PDF
Appears under MISUSE OF ZAKAAT. This heading is the nearest headline at or before the page and is approximate. Do not cite it alone.