The Need for Inquiry When Buying Fruit in the Market

Question

Regarding the mangoes that are sold in the markets nowadays, it is not known when the buyer bought the orchard he bought — whether he bought it in the winter fog season (i.e. before blossoming). In such a situation, is it permissible or impermissible to buy mangoes from the market and eat them?

Answer

If it is ascertained, or there is a predominant supposition (zann ghalib), that this seller bought by a void (batil) sale, then buying from him is impermissible; if there is no such ascertainment or predominant supposition, there is latitude in buying: [ar]وحمل فعل المسلم على الصحة والحل واجب ما أمكن إلا أن تقوم البينة[/ar] “Interpreting the act of a Muslim as valid and lawful…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.