Question:-
I sell goods to customers over the net. When they confirm their purchase by paying for the item, I instruct my supplier to deliver the goods directly to the client. The goods have already been purchased by me in large quantity from the supplier. Is this in order as required in Shariah?
Answer:-
It is necessary for you to take possession of the goods before selling it to your customers. From your query it is understood that you purchase bulk from your supplier (first), and it is from your purchased goods (which is in your supplier’s possession) that your customers are supplied. This is incorrect as you haven’t yet taken possession of the goods.
مادة 253 للمشتري أن يبيع المبيع لآخر قبل قبضه إن كان عقارا وإلا فلا ) المجلة)
An easy way of overcoming this problem is by appointing a particular person at the supplier’s premises to take possession of the goods on your behalf. Your appointed agent’s receiving the goods on your behalf is tantamount to you taking possession of the goods. Now you may appoint the supplier to deliver directly to your clients on your behalf. By adopting the above procedure, the transaction will be in order.
Alternately, you instruct the courier company to receive the goods from the supplier (on your behalf) and deliver it to the customer (on your behalf.) This too will suffice.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 30 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1434 / 05 December 2021
