QUESTION:
I have undertaken a transaction with a lady for her to make me a custom-made duvet cover set. She initially quoted me R1000, to which I agreed. She received the fabric from me 48 days ago and because the embroidery is being done by hand, it has taken a lot of time. She has passed the due date that we agreed upon to have it ready by, and now she feels she underpriced me after the work has been completed. She wants to increase the cost by another R500-R1000, claiming that she has no previous experience with embroidery and the labour involved, as well the cost of the cotton. Is there any basis to her claim and is she entitled to increase the price?
ANSWER:
The amount that was stipulated at the time of concluding the agreement will be payable, which is R1000. The service provider cannot ask for a higher amount (at this stage) after rendering the service. Yes, if the client voluntarily gives her extra as a gesture of goodwill, then the client is at liberty to do so. However, there is no compulsion upon the client to do so.
يُشْتَرَطُ أَنْ تَكُونَ الأُجْرَةُ مَعْلُومَةً (المجلة 1/87)
قال في المبسوط: لا بد من إعلام ما يرد عليه عقد الإجارة على وجه ينقطع به المنازعة ببيان المدة والمسافة والعمل، ولا بد من إعلام البدل اهـ، وإلا كان العقد عبثا كما في البدائع، على أنه تمليك بعوض غير معلوم فعاد إلى كلامهم، وتمامه في الشرنبلالية (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 6/4)
Re: – Fataawa Uthmaniyyah Vol. 8 Pg. 133
Furthermore, the common understanding in our times is that the cotton is upon the tailor or embroiderer, thus the embroiderer cannot charge extra for the cotton, unless there was an agreement that the client will bear the cost of the cotton.
هذا ظاهر على القول بأن الخيط على رب الثوب في عرف صاحب الظهيرية، وأما على عرف من قبله وهو عرفنا الآن من أنه على الخياط (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 6/18(
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
