Question:
Assalamualaikum Dato’ Seri Mufti. Is it permissible for a seller to set a certain amount for customers such as spend a minimum of RM 100, then you will be given a coupon of RM 10? And if they spend less than RM 100, then the customers will not receive anything. I hope for an explanation. Thank you.
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Coupon means a certificate, small letter or ticket that is exchangeable with other goods or used to buy stuff. (See Second Edition of Kamus Pelajar). Today, the concept of gift coupons is widespread in business which involved the seller and customers. Among the purpose of gift coupons are as an effort to attract customers and build their loyalty. Hence, it is understood that coupons are one of the business strategies to increase profit and sales.
The concept of profit and success in business in Islam does not involve any deception and trickery. Business must be performed following the principles of both seller and customer to be satisfied with the transaction. Allah SWT prohibit His slaves from unjustly taking the rights of others. Allah SWT states:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ
“O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent.”
Surah al-Nisa’ (29)
Syeikh al-Maraghi said profit in business should not be attained through deception and trickery, but a business transaction is where both seller and customer are satisfied with the transaction. If business transactions are unjust, surely, no one would want to be involved in trade. Good judgement, intellect and reasoning is also needed in business and trade. (See Tafsir al-Maraghi, 3/1170)
Answering the above question, the ruling of a seller to present gift coupons to customers who made a certain amount of purchase is permissible. This is considered as muamalat affairs among humans which is permissible according to syarak, as long as there is no evidence that prohibits or restrict it. This is in accordance with the Islamic legal maxim:
الأَصْلُ فِي المعَامَلَاتِ الإِبَاحَة
“The original ruling of something is it is permissible.”
In this issue, if a customer has fulfilled the conditions to receive a gift coupon, then the seller is obligated to fulfil his promise of presenting the gift coupon. In a hadith from Kathir bin 'Amr bin 'Awf Al-Muzani narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
الْمُسْلِمُوْنَ عَلَى شُرُوْطِهِمْ إِلاَّ شَرْطًا حَرَّمَ حَلاَلاً أَوْ أَحَلَّ حَرَامًا
“Reconciliation is allowed among the Muslims, except for reconciliation that makes the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful. And the Muslims will be held to their conditions, except the conditions that make the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (1352) [This hadith is stated as hasan sahih according to Imam al-Tirmizi]
The above hadith explains the characteristics that should be fulfilled in any transaction or agreement. Each Muslim individual is obligated to fulfil the conditions agreed and should not break the promise as long as the agreement does not contradict the syarak. (See Tuhfah al-Ahwazi, 4/487)
Conclusion
To conclude, presenting gift coupons to customers is permissible. However, muamalat such as this must be only for permissible matters and does not involve any form of interest, oppression, greed and deception. Every seller should practise honesty and integrity in order to attain the blessings in business. From Abu Sa’id RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
التَّاجِرُ الصَّدُوقُ الأَمِينُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ، وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ، وَالشُّهَدَاءِ
“The truthful, trustworthy merchant is with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (1209) [According to Imam al-Tirmizi this hadith is hasan]
We will end our discussion with a supplication taught by our beloved Prophet PBUH:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Surah al-Baqarah (201)
Hopefully, this short explanation will give us understanding so that we can practise the true and correct teachings of Islam. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.