Batteries uncollected by customers
Question
in our business, we sell car batteries. At times, the batteries are brought back in by customers and sent in to the agents for claims. During the interim, we give these customers batteries on loan (which are a temporary use for them; they are our batteries but not with 100% life span). Now, when the agents return the customers’ batteries, we contact the customer to collect their battery and return ours. Sometimes, months pass with them not collecting their battery. How can we ensure that they collect their battery timeously, that falls within the Shariah?
Answer
When you receive the replacement battery from the agent, then you should call the customer and inform him to collect the battery. If the customer does not fetch the battery within a week or two, then you should contact the customer again (for the second time) and request him to sell his battery to you, in lieu of your battery. If he agrees, then you may keep his battery and he may keep your battery.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
أن البيع في اللغة: مبادلة شيء مرغوب بشيء مرغوب، وفي الشرع: مبادلة المال بالمال (بدائع الصنائع ص183 ج5)
- Answered by
- Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
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