Educational content only. We analyze returns policies
using the principles of
Khiyar (Option to Rescind) and Amanah (Trust).
This is not financial, legal, or religious advice. Please consult a qualified
scholar or professional for your specific situation. We do not issue fatwas.
"All sales are final." This might fly in a garage sale, but in E-Commerce dropshipping, refusing to take back a broken item isn't just bad business—it's potentially a violation of Shariah.
Scholarly consensus overview
Refusing returns for defective items is Prohibited.
The buyer has an inherent Islamic right called Khiyar al-Ayb (Option of Defect) to return faulty goods for a full refund. You cannot "policy" this right away. For non-defective returns (change of mind), you are allowed to refuse, provided this was clearly stated before the sale.
The Option of Defect (Khiyar al-Ayb)
If you sell a product that turns out to be broken, fake, or not as described, the sale is considered "shaky" (Ghair Lazim). The buyer has the unilateral right to cancel it. As a dropshipper, you cannot push this responsibility onto the Chinese supplier. YOU are the seller.
Tool 1: Who Bears the Risk?
Are you acting as a true merchant?
Causing Harm (Darar)
Some dropshippers technically allow returns but make it impossible (e.g., "Ship it back to China via tracked post"). Since the return shipping costs more than the item, this is a tactic to deny the refund.
In Fiqh, this is causing harm (Darar) to the buyer's wealth. If the defect is your fault (or your supplier's), you should bear the cost of rectifying it.
Tool 2: Obstacle Analyzer
Is your policy a wall?
The Law of the Land as a Contract
"Muslims are bound by their conditions." When you sell to a UK customer, you implicitly agree to abide by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Violating this law (by refusing a refund within 30 days for a fault) is a breach of your covenant.
Tool 3: Compliance Audit
Check your legal standing.
The Red Line
Where do scholars draw the line?
- 1Restocking Fees on Defective Items:
You cannot charge a "restocking fee" if the item you sent was broken. That is taking money for nothing (Batil). You can only charge this for "Change of Mind" returns.
- 2Ghosting the Customer:
Ignoring emails from angry customers hoping they "go away" is acceptable in some shady guru circles, but in Islam, it is oppression. You are withholding their due right (Haqq).
Summary & Practical Guidance
- Budget for Refunds: Calculate a 10% refund rate into your margins. This allows you to verify returns instantly (Hussain al-Khulq) without stressing over profit.
- Be the Merchant: Do not hide behind "The Supplier". To the customer, YOU are the shop. Take ownership.
Methodology
Analyzing Consumer Rights
We compared UK Consumer Rights Law regarding distance selling with the Islamic Fiqh of options (Khiyar).
- Majallat al-Ahkam: Book of Options (Khiyar).
- Mufti Taqi Usmani: "Introduction to Islamic Finance" (Sale Contract Rules).