Buying a valuable item at a low price

Question

Question: A hypothetical case is being asked so that from it an answer may be derived for similar cases which arise from time to time. Namely: suppose a man, Zayd, brought a valuable item (whose value would be roughly one to two hundred) to ‘Amr and said: “This is my item; owing to some need I wish to sell it; buy it.” ‘Amr refused: “I do not have that much money; I will not take it.” At this Zayd said: “Whatever price you give for it, I will sell it for that.” ‘Amr said: “I can take it for five rupees.

Answer

If the predominant supposition (ghalabat al-zann) is that this valuable item, which is being sold so cheaply, is stolen, then buying it is not permissible. This is stated explicitly in Fatawa Rashidiyya, vol. 2, p. 109. If it has been bought and returning it is difficult and the owner is unknown, then he should give it away as sadaqa.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.