Islamic Economics Centre (DaruliftaAhlesunnat)
(Dawateislami -Darulifta Ahle Sunnat)
Question
What do the scholars of Islam say regarding this issue: when I go to the market for my own work, sometimes acquaintances ask me to bring some items for them. I deliver these items to them. Can I take a commission for this? That is, can I charge more than the cost of the items? I do not work on commission, and it is not pre-agreed with them that I will take extra money.
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
In the mentioned situation, when you go to the market and someone you know asks you to bring something for them, your role in bringing the item is that of an agent (وكيل), not a commission agent. In this case, where you buy something for them you are not entitled to charge extra money beyond the cost of the item. So, charging them extra money as a commission secretly without prior agreement is impermissible and sinful because it constitutes deceit against the person who asked you to bring the item, and deceit is forbidden and a sin in Islam.
If you wish to charge a fee for this service, you must state it explicitly. Also note that in this case the amount of commission must be agreed upon beforehand. Otherwise, this transaction will be considered deceitful.
Regarding the one who deceives, the beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه وأله وسلم said:“ من غشنا فلیس منا ”Translation: Whoever deceives us is not one of us. (Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: The Saying of the Prophet, "Whoever deceives us...," Vol. 1, Page 99, Beirut).
It is stated in Durar-ul-Hukkam fi Sharhi-Majallat il-Ahkam:
” لو اشتغل شخص لآخر شيئا ولم يتقاولا على الأجرة ينظر للعامل إن كان يشتغل بالأجرة عادة يجبر صاحب العمل على دفع أجرة المثل له عملا بالعرف والعادة ، وإلا فلا۔“
Translation: If a person worked for another without any agreement on compensation, then the worker will be examined. If he usually works for compensation, the employer will be compelled to pay the equivalent fee (اجرة المثل) according to custom and practice; otherwise, no compensation will be paid.(Durar-ul-Hukkam fi Sharh Majallat-il-Ahkam, Vol. 1, Page 46, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah).
Answered By: Abu Muhammad Mufti Ali Asghar Attari Madani
Ref No: IEC-0174
Date: 01 Ramadan-ul-Mubarak 1445 / 12 March 2024
Translated by Maulana Abdul Wajid Madani
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم