Not Setting a Price Beforehand in Taxi Rides

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: What does one do when getting into taxi’s with drivers who do not have a meter or they refuse to use it and won’t agree upon a price for various reasons?

Answer: In the Name of Allah Most Merciful & Compassionate

This is a situation where there is a corrupt custom (`urf fasid). In such cases, one should mention a reasonable fare, commit to pay it, and offer it. If they don’t refuse it, then it would be considered as if they agreed.

After that, one handles is in the ways dignified, upright people in that land/area would handle such matters, balancing one’s right with dignified behavior–and avoiding ill-manners.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani

(Originally answered on the SeekersGuidance Academy’s Islamic Law for Seekers: Transactions Course Forum)