Is Buy One Get One Free in the Mentioned Scenario Permissible or Gambling?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have a question about the “buy one, get one free” offer. If a store allows you to choose two items, and the cheaper item is given to you for free, is that considered gambling? The store doesn’t know what item you will choose, so there is an element of uncertainty, which worries me. Are we allowed to participate in these offers?
Answer
It is permissible to participate and purchase items in these types of offers.
This is just an incentive to buy the item. This is not gambling or deceptive uncertainty (gharar). As these types of sales are widespread and do not lead to any dispute between the buyer and seller, it will be a valid purchase. The items are placed for the customers, and they are within the affordable profit margin range for the seller.
[Marghinani, al-Hidaya; Ali al-Nadwi, al-Qawaid al-Fiqhiyya]
- How Do I Price My Goods Ethically? – SeekersGuidance
- Is It Permissible for Us to Purchase Mystery Leftover Food Bags? (seekersguidance.org)
[Mawlana]Ilyas Patel
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
