BENEFIT: Is it permissible to take a deposit (when selling items that you own)?

Sheikh Yahya ḥafidhahullāh: Yes, it is permissible to take a deposit. If the buyer meets the deadline and takes the item, then all is well and good. But if he does not meet it, the seller may take the deposit as compensation for the lost opportunity. The ruling on this is that it is not prohibited. For example, the buyer says: “Reserve this item for me,” and the seller remains waiting, missing out on the market and the chance to sell the item—while the buyer holds the item by virtue of the deposit. Then the buyer later comes and says: “Sorry, I no longer want it!” In such a case, they said that if the seller takes the deposit as compensation for the lost opportunity, this is not considered consuming people’s wealth unjustly. This is a sound opinion and is mentioned in the books of Fiqh, and it is an acceptable view. 7 Ṣafar 1441 AH Source: https://t.me/sh_yahia_duroos/5005