Is it permissible to purchase a house in France using the "viager" system, whereby the buyer pays a monthly sum for a house inhabited by an elderly person until their death, at which point the house becomes the property of the buyer? What is the ruling on the buyer wishing for the seller's hastened death in this situation? And what is the name of this type of sale in Islamic jurisprudence, if it is permissible?
This type of sale is void due to the presence of Jahalah (ambiguity/uncertainty) and Gharar (excessive risk/deception), because the price is unknown before the death of the homeowner. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade sales involving Gharar. And the knowledge of the price is a condition for the validity of a sale according to the general consensus of scholars.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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