BENEFIT: Is it permissible to take a deposit (Part 2)

This is a question from some brothers; we kindly request an answer and clarification. We have established a company that organises ʿUmrah trips, in which we take groups to perform ʿUmrah and visit Makkah and Madinah. We provide all necessary services, including airline tickets, hotels, transportation, guided tours, and other related arrangements. Our question is as follows: The number of travellers is usually around 50 people per trip. We require them to pay a non-refundable deposit (ʿarbūn) before the trip date so that we can make the necessary bookings. If they do not complete the remaining payment by a certain date, or if they decide not to travel, they forfeit this deposit. However, if we fail to provide the trip due to negligence or an issue on our part, we refund the full deposit to them. What is the ruling on taking this deposit in such a case? Some people have said that it is impermissible because we are selling something we do not yet own. If this is not permissible, could you guide us to another method that complies with the Shari'ah? ___ Sheikh ’Abdulghani Al-Aḥmadi ḥafidhahullāh: «وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته. العربون لا يجوز أخذه إلا في حالة أنه فوت عليك ربحاً لولاه كنت حصلت عليه أو جلب لك خسارة بسببه، أما وأنه لم يفوت عليك شيء مما سبق، كأن يكون اعتذر ووجدت بديلاً له فلا تأخذ منه شيء بل رده عليه ، والله أعلم. أما أخذ العربون من أصله فليس فيه شيء ، أنما هو لأجل حجز ما يحتاج عليه عندكم حتى يتم ما اتفقتم عليه ويتم لكم المبلغ» "The ʿarbūn (deposit) may not be taken except in the case where the person has caused you to miss out on a profit that you would have otherwise obtained, or has caused you a loss because of his withdrawal. However, if none of this has occurred—such as when he cancels and you are able to find a replacement—then you should not take anything from him; rather, you must return it to him. And Allāh knows best. As for taking a deposit in principle, there is nothing wrong with it, as it is meant to reserve what needs to be set aside on your part until the agreement is completed and the full amount is paid." [WhatsApp correspondence] Sheikh ’Abdullāh Al-Hakami ḥafidhahullāh: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته. إذا كان هذا الذي سُجّل عندكم قد كلفكم تسجيله، وابتداء المعاملة له بعض الأتعاب، وبعض الوقت، وبعض الجهد، ثم انسحب، فلا بأس أن تأخذوا شيئًا من العربون مقابل أتعابكم. أما إذا ما كلفكم شيئًا، ولا تسبب لكم في خسارة أو في استئجار كرسي له ومقعد، وهو انسحب، وأصبح المقعد هذا فارغًا، وأنتم تحملتم له رسومه وغير ذلك، وما حصل لكم أي شيء ولا أي جهد، فالأحوط والأورع أن تعيدوا له ما له، بارك الله فيكم. وهذا بعكس البيع والشراء؛ فالبيع والشراء، فإن هذا الذي حجز السلعة عطّل البائع عن بيع السلعة وأخّره عن الانتفاع بسلعته. أما هذا إذا ما حصل لكم أي - يعني - تضرر بتسجيله وانسحابه، فالأورع لكم أن تعيدوا له المبلغ، بارك الله فيكم. "If the registration that you processed for him required you to incur any costs, or if initiating the procedure involved some effort, time, or work on your part, and then he withdrew, there is no harm in taking a portion of the deposit as compensation for your efforts. However, if it did not cost you anything, and it did not cause you any loss—such as renting a chair or seat for him, and he then withdrew, leaving the seat vacant while you were responsible for its fee and similar matters—and if you incurred no expense or effort, then it is more prudent and more pious to return to him what is rightfully his. May Allāh bless you. This differs from buying and selling, for in commercial transactions the one who reserves an item prevents the seller from selling it to others and delays the seller’s ability to benefit from his goods. But in this case, if you did not incur any harm—meaning any loss or burden—due to his registration and subsequent withdrawal, then it is more virtuous for you to return the amount to him. May Allāh bless you." [https://t.me/madrasatuna/5472]