Buying item from non-Muslim at discounted price

11-12-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. In fatawa No. 12267, it is mentioned that the scholars disagreed regarding accepting gifts from non-Muslims. I am inclined to the view that it is not permissible to accept gifts from non-Muslims. Yesterday, I bought some books from a non-Muslim bookstore, and he offered me a discount without mentioning to me that he gave me discount. I came to know about the discount which he had offered me after I had left the shop when I looked at the bill carefully. I feel uneasy about using these books. My question is whether this discount counts as a gift from the shop owner to me?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The discount that the shop owner offered you and was the actual sale price is not considered a gift; rather, it is the price of the book upon which the two of you have agreed. This has nothing to do with the issue of accepting gifts from non-Muslims which you referred to.

Allah knows best.