Q: As customers pay via EFT, some customers prefer to make monthly payments in advance. Since they are purchasing milk and eggs from me, often I have not yet received the milk and it has not even been produced yet. Sometimes this money directly gets mixed with my cashflow. I have a sum of money kept aside and I often make this intention that the money they gave me is in the money kept aside so that it becomes easy to manage.
1. Is this necessary?
2. One of the customers mentioned that they don’t mind me using the money before they have purchased goods to the full value. Is it permissible to use?
3. I have a customer that pays later. After purchasing the products sometimes he has a complaint that it’s not as fresh as he is used to, if I wish to give him a discount, what would be the best way to do it? He purchases weekly.
A:
1. You should inform your clients that you will only sell the eggs to them later on at the time they place an order. Prior to that, you will keep their money for them.
2. It is permissible for you to use their money which they deposited in your account. However, if they do not wish to purchase the eggs from you and claim their money from you, you should return their money to them.
3. The sale was valid. Since it was a valid sale, he is not eligible to any reduction in the price. However, if you wish to give him something on the basis of a healthy clientele relationship, then you may do so.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)