What is the ruling on selling by means of sealed boxes, the contents of which, consisting of various goods, are unknown to the buyer, knowing that the type of box is specified (for men, for women, for children) and the goods are of high quality and reasonable price? And is it permissible to place monetary prizes inside some of these boxes as a marketing campaign?
This method of selling is incorrect and impermissible, as it involves jahalah (ignorance) and (uncertainty), since the buyer does not know what is inside the box. One of the conditions for a valid sale is that the item being sold must be known; if either party is ignorant of it to an extent that leads to dispute, the sale is invalid. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade sales by touching (mulamasah) and by throwing (munabadhah), both of which are sales involving gharar and gambling, because they constitute consuming wealth unlawfully. The type of sale mentioned falls under this prohibition, so it is impermissible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 134575
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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