If One Does Not Like The Clothing They Ordered Online

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the honourable scholars say in this regard: Zaid purchased a set of clothes he liked from the online store of a large brand. The following day, the clothing reached his home via the courier. The online colour of the clothing appeared bright and shiny, but upon examining his order in person, he found the colour to be faded and dim instead. For this reason, Zayd did not like this particular set. Does he have the permission by Shari’ah, to return this clothing, or not?

   We found out from the store themselves by making a phone call, that the set we desired was in stock; due to this, an order for its delivery was placed. Upon sending it back, are expenses incurred by the courier required to be paid by Zaid, or is it upon the store to do so?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

    In the situation inquired about, due to Khiyar-e-Ruyah (option of rejecting after seeing the item), Zayd has full authority to return it, as seeing an image of something, is not like seeing it in reality. So, when he saw the said clothing in front of him, he disliked it, and he is lawfully permitted by Shari’ah to return it. The expenses for having these clothes returned is under the responsibility of Zayd - he can have it sent back via courier, or in any other way.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

Answered by: Abu Saeed, Naveed Raza Attari

Verified by: Mufti Fuzail Raza Attari