Commentary:
23 August 2022 • 2.5K views
The post makes it seem like it's not allowed to bargain whatsoever - “the item must be sold at its original price of 80.” It does not take into account the permissibility of الغبن اليسير (a small price increase).
The jurists have categorised الغبن (overcharging) into two types:
1. الغبن الفاحش
A substantial price increase. This is not permitted.
2. الغبن اليسير
A small price increase. This is permitted.
If someone is overcharged substantially for an item, they have the option (خيار) of revoking the transaction and getting their money back; this is what the post alludes to. But if the price increase is minimal, then it is allowed within the Shari’ah.
{وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡبَیۡعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ۚ}
“Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden usury.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 275]
Sheikh 'Uthaymeen rahimahullah said
”إذا اشترى سلعة بـ (2500) ريال، وهي لا تساوي إلا (1500) ريال، فإن كان البائع يعلم أن السعر (1500) ريال، ولكنه وجد هذا الرجل الغريب الذي لا يعرف الأسعار وباعها عليه بـ (2500)، فإنه آثم ولا يحل له ذلك، وإذا علم المشتري بهذا فله الخيار، وهذا يسمى خيار الغبن؛ لأن (1000) من (2500) كثير. وأما لو كان الغبن يسيراً كـ (10%)، فهذا لا يضر، ولا يزال الناس يتغابنون بمثله. أما إذا كان البائع لا يعلم، مثل: أن تكون هذه السلعة بـ (2500)، ونزل السعر والبائع لا يدري بنزوله، فالبائع غير آثم، لكن حق المشتري باقٍ، وله الخيار؛ لأنه مغبون.“
“If someone buys an item for 2500 riyals while its worth is only 1500 riyals, and the seller knows that the price is 1500 riyals, but he takes advantage of this strange man who does not know the prices and sells it to him for 2500, then he is sinful and it is not permissible for him to do that, and if the buyer finds out, he has the option (to annul the transaction), and this option is known as "خيار الغبن"; because 1000 out of 2500 is a substantial price increase. But if the price increase was something small, like 10% for example, then there is no harm, and people continue to trade in this way. But if the seller is not aware, such that he sells the item for 2500 although its market price has dropped, but the seller (continues to sell at 2500) unaware that the price has dropped, then the seller is not sinful, but the right of the buyer remains, and he has the option (i.e. خيار الغبن) because he has been overcharged.”
[Liqa’ al-Bab al-Maftooh (56/14)]