Is it permissible for the seller

Q 1: Your Eminence, I engage in free businesses such as building construction, steel works and so on. These businesses often contain a down payment whether little or much. Upon receiving the down payment and after one or two days of concluding the contract, the second party may change his mind whether the work has already begun or before it begins. What is your opinion concerning these matters?

A: It is permissible for the person who stipulates the down-payment to keep it and he is not obliged to repay it to the buyer if the contract is cancelled. This is according to the most preponderant view of the scholars if both parties have agreed on this condition in the contract. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.