Answered by: Maulana Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I bought a bicycle tube that was defective and I lost the receipt. Now I bought the exact same tube and I am thinking of putting the old one back in the box and then returning it. What do you think? Allowed or not?
In the name of All, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The described scenario constitutes cheating and fraud which is prohibited in Islam. Losing the receipt of the purchased tube is a shortcoming on your part. Placing the defective tube in a box of another tube, even though it is the same exact tube, is deceptive. The more Islamically appropriate thing to do is take the defective tube back to where it was purchased and explain to them truthfully that you have lost the receipt. They may exchange it for you.
Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “The one who acted dishonestly amongst us, is not of us.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 101)1
Only Allāh knows best
Written by Maulana Yūsuf Badāt
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
1 مَنْ غَشَّنَا فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا – رواه مسلم ١٠١