What is Islam - eBook
Sunnats and Aadaab of Business and Dealings – Part Two
3. If an item has a defect, the seller should disclose it to the purchaser. It is not permissible for him to conceal the defect.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that on one occasion, Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed by a heap of grain. He then inserted his hand in the heap (to inspect the quality of the grain at the bottom) and found that the grain was moist. He asked the owner of the grain, “What is this?” The owner replied, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the grain became moist due to the rain.” Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Then why did you not place it (the moist grain) on top of the heap so that the people can see the defective grain (that you are selling to them)?” Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “The one who deceives (people) is not from me.” [1]