QUESTION:
With regards to something like what Checkers introduced, whereby one pays R99 as part of their membership program, and as part of being a member one receives (I think) a 10 percent discount as well as delivery perks etc, Would that be permissible? Also, with regards to motor plans, some come free with the purchase of a vehicle, whereas others, especially on pre-owned vehicles, are offered as an add-on ,and with that one receives the benefits of the motor plan. Would that be permissible?
ANSWER:
Regarding to the Checkers sixty60 subscription, one pays R99 for unlimited deliveries for the month. Generally, the benefit must be stipulated in terms of Shariah and cannot be left ambiguous as this would lead to a dispute. However, in the queried scenario, the ambiguity will not result in a dispute (as Checkers is offering unlimited deliveries), hence it will be permitted. This can be likened to purchasing a buffet meal where one is permitted to eat as much as one wishes. Since, the ambiguity in this instance too is not exorbitant and does not lead to a dispute it will be acceptable in terms of Shariah. The discounts and offers offered to subscribers (over and above the delivery service) can be likened to a gift or bonus from Checkers, which is permitted.
However, the Checkers sixty60 cannot be likened or compared to a motor plan subscription. In a motor plan subscription, one purchases a motor plan but there is no certainty that the benefits will be used by the subscriber or not. It is possible that the vehicle does not encounter any problems, and therefore no benefit is taken from the motor plan, hence due to the uncertainty it will not be permitted. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited a transaction of uncertainty. On the other hand, if one encounters serious issues with the vehicle and is therefore heavily billed by the workshop which surpasses one’s total contributions, then the extra benefit derived (over and above the total contributions) will be tantamount to receiving interest.
Yes, if the motor plan is included in the purchase price of a new vehicle, then purchasing the vehicle with the included motor plan will be permitted. The same is applicable for a second-hand vehicle; if the vehicle is sold with the motor plan included in the selling price, then purchasing the vehicle with the included motor plan will be permitted. However, this is generally not the case. Car dealerships generally offer the motor plan to their customers after selling the vehicle or separately, hence one is left with the option of either purchasing the motor plan or not. Since, the motor plan is sold separately in this instance, it will not be permissible to purchase the motor plan due to the prohibition mentioned in the Hadith as explained above. Yes, if the motor plan is offered free of charge by the dealership, then there is no issue at all. In conclusion, there is a vast difference between the two scenarios cited by you. Motor plan subscriptions cannot be compared to the hiring agreement offered by Checkers sixty60.
N.B. Subscribing to Checkers sixty60 will only be permitted if there aren’t any corrupt conditions attached to the contract. If a corrupt condition is attached to the contract (such as purchasing for R350 each time to qualify for the delivery) then subscribing to the contract will not be permitted.
قال العبد الضعيف عفا الله عنه : ويخرج على هذا كثير من المسائل في عصرنا، فقدجرت العادة في بعض الفنادق الكبيرة أنهم يضعون أنواعاً من الأطعمة في قدور كبيرة ، و يـخـيـرون الـمـشـتـرى في أكل ما شاء بقدر ما شاء ، ويأخذون ثمناً واحداً معيناً من كل أحد، فالقياس أن لا يجوز البيع لجهالة الأطعمة المبيعة وقدرها، ولكنه يجوز لأن الجهالة يسيرة غير مفضية إلى النزاع ، وقد جرى بها العرف والتعامل . (تكملة فتح الملهم 1/320 باب بطلان بيع الحصاة والبيع الذي فيه غرر)
(الْمَادَّةُ 451) : يُشْتَرَطُ فِي الْإِجَارَةِ أَنْ تَكُونَ الْمَنْفَعَةُ مَمْلُوءَةً بِوَجْهٍ يَكُونُ مَانِعًا لِلْمُنَازَعَةِ. (مجلة الاحكام ص86 ج1)
وَشَرْطُهَا كَوْنُ الْأُجْرَةِ وَالْمَنْفَعَةِ مَعْلُومَتَيْنِ؛ لِأَنَّ جَهَالَتَهُمَا تُفْضِي إلَى الْمُنَازَعَةِ. (الدر المختار ص5 ج6)
وَقَالَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ آكِلُ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلُهُ وَكَاتِبُهُ وَشَاهِدُهُ إذَا عَلِمُوا بِهِ مَلْعُونُونَ عَلَى لِسَانِ مُحَمَّدٍ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – إلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ – كَذَا فِي النِّهَايَةِ (الجوهرة النيرة 1/212)
عَنِ الْأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ: «أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَهَى عَنْ بَيْعِ الْغَرَرِ» (سنن ابي داود #3378)
فإن الغرر هو الخطر الذي استوى فيه طرف الوجود والعدم بمنزلة الشك (بدائع الصنائع ص163 ج5)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date:- 17 Jumadal Ula 1445 / 01 December 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
