Egypt’s Dar Al-Iftaa received a question from a sales representative asking about the ruling on selling products by showing samples to potential buyers, particularly in the medical supplies sector.
In its response, Dar Al-Iftaa stated that selling items based on samples is permissible under Islamic law, provided that the sold goods match the sample inspected by the buyer. If the goods differ from the sample, the buyer has the right to return them.
The fatwa further explained that agency (wakalah) in sales and purchases is legitimate according to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus. It cited the Qur’anic verse:
"So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city, and let him look to which is the best food and bring you provision from it…” [Al-Kahf: 19].
Dar Al-Iftaa also quoted Imam Ibn Al-Arabi, who stated that this verse confirms the validity of agency, as it facilitates human dealings and fulfills people’s needs.
The fatwa supported this with the hadith of Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “When you meet my agent, take fifteen measures from him…”, highlighting the legitimacy of acting through an authorized representative in sales.
