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Is it permissible to sell an old electronic device that is full of defects without mentioning these defects to the buyer, knowing that mentioning them might prevent its sale altogether?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If a seller knows there is a defect in their goods that diminishes their value or prevents a legitimate purpose for their purchase, it is impermissible for them to sell it without disclosing this defect. If they conceal it and sell the item without the buyer's knowledge, they have committed an illicit deception, and the buyer has the right to revoke the sale due to the defect. The jurists have agreed that concealing a defect in sold goods is forbidden by explicit texts, based on what was narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "The two parties to a transaction have the option (of cancelling it) as long as they have not separated. If they are truthful and clarify, blessings will be bestowed upon their transaction. But if they lie and conceal, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out." And: "Whoever sells a defective item without disclosing it will remain in Allah's displeasure, and the angels will continue to curse him." And: "Whoever cheats us is not of us." Thus, disclosing a defect is a religious obligation, and whoever does not disclose it is sinful and disobedient, and this falls under consuming wealth unlawfully. Concealing a defect is considered cheating.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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