Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I bought a bicycle tube that was defected 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 return it. What do you think? Allowed or not?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah Institute.
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 islamicaly 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
[1] مَنْ غَشَّنَا فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا – رواه مسلم ١٠١