Majhul sale

A: This type of product, which is sealed inside a carton and sold without knowing what type of children’s toy or other item is inside the carton, is a Majhul sale (sale of the unknown), which lacks the necessary condition of knowing the item being sold either through seeing it or knowing its characteristics. Therefore, it is not permissible to deal in this type of product, where the item being sold is not known, either by sight or by description. This is one type of Gharar sale (fraudulent transaction where details about the sold item are unknown or uncertain) which is prohibited, based on the Hadith reported from Abu Hurayrah (Part No. 13; Page No. 86) (may Allah be pleased with him), which stated that The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade Gharar sale. (Related by Muslim) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.