Source: http://qa.muftisays.com/?12949
Question ID: #12949
 
Question: Assalah mu Alaykum i gave my word to my tenant that when I sell my house he will get the 1st chance
Assalah mu Alaykum
I gave my word to my tenant who was staying in house for 20 years 3 months before I gave him a price 300k
When the time came to sell i went back on my word and sold the house to another person for 325k as he was offered me more
So my tenant got really angry with this because I went against my word
I know I am wrong
What is shariah ruling on this

The now ex tenant says that I have to give him back 24 months of rental as he stayed in there for 2 months
Though he still has outstanding balance of unpaid 6 months rent
Only then maybe will forgive me
He has given me 2 weeks to do if not then he is threatening me by saying he will report me to
HMRC for not paying or declaring the rent payments to them
He has recording where I have said I promise to sell the house to him so he is going to make viral to whole world to show my character to people of how I break promises
Is this allowed
What is the ruling on this to
Please advise
Jazakalla u khair
Mehboob
 
 
Answered by: Ulamaa ID 04 (London)
Date: 01/04/2026 20:38pm

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامداومصليا

Not giving your word or fulfilling a promise is wrong unless there’s an excuse. If it is legally binding any financial loss will need to be compensated.

You don’t need to owe him any rental because of not fulfilling a promise. The rent is a separate transaction. It is wrong for him to threaten you like this.


And Allah knows best.

13 Shawwal 1447/ 01 April 2026
Mufti Qamruzzaman

London, UK
 
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