Is It Permissible to Buy Discounted Surprise Food Packs with Unspecified Contents?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it permissible to buy surprise food packs that do not specify their contents, such as those sold at discounted prices with only an estimated value provided?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

It is permissible to buy non-specified surprise food packs.

The reason is that you are paying a relatively small sum, and there is a level of certainty about the type of content, i.e., food items, and these types of sales are widespread. Thus, it will be permissible.

Deceptive uncertainty is prohibited if it leads to disputes regarding the outcome, especially when the needs of the counterparties are not met. This does not apply when purchasing such products.

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) prohibited sales that involve deceptive uncertainty (gharar) and the sale of pebbles.” [Tirmidhi]

[Marghinani, al-Hidaya; Ali al-Nadwi, al-Qawaid al-Fiqhiyya]

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I pray this helps answer your question.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

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.