Authored by: Imran Ayub Lahori
✿ Ruling on Bay‘ al-Qutoot (Selling of Cheques or Written Notes)
The term “al-Qutoot” (القطوط) is the plural of “al-Qitt” (القِط), which refers to cheques, written slips, ledger entries, or allocated shares.
[Al-Munjid: p. 701]
✿ Scholarly Opinion:
According to the scholars of Islam, it is not permissible to sell cheques or similar documents that are made out to others, as these are not yet the actual possession or property of the person holding them. Such instruments merely represent a claim to funds or goods, not the tangible ownership of them.
However, once these cheques or documents are delivered to the person for whom they are written (i.e., the rightful owner), and they become his actual property, then he may sell them or dispose of them as he wishes.
This ruling is based on the principle that ownership and possession must be firmly established before a transaction or sale can occur in Shari‘ah.
[Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah: 2/225]
✿ Qur’anic Reference:
Allah Almighty says:
“عَجِّلْ لَنَا قِطَّنَا”
“Hasten to us our record (kitab or written account).”
[Surah Sad: 16]
Here, the word “qitt” also refers to a written document or scroll — in the context of the record of deeds, further establishing the usage of the term for such written materials.
✿ Summary:
✔ Selling cheques, slips, or written entries (before they are in one’s possession) is not permissible in Islam.
✔ Once the document legally belongs to a person, he may sell or use it as he wishes.
✔ This ruling ensures fairness and prevents the sale of what is not yet owned — a foundational principle of Islamic commerce.
✿ Conclusion:
The sale of cheques or similar written instruments, known as Bay‘ al-Qutoot, is not allowed until the cheques reach their rightful recipient and become part of his actual possession. This rule safeguards the integrity of transactions in Islam by ensuring that only what is truly owned can be sold or traded.
