What is the legal status of stratagems used to circumvent oaths regarding price?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
If a person swears not to let the garment fall below a certain price (e.g., 'not to reduce this garment below such-and-such'), and then the transaction involves the seller accepting the price but gifting an item to the buyer (e.g., saying 'I sold it to you for that price, and I gift something else to so-and-so'), this entire arrangement is considered void and without legal weight (laysa shay'an). Such devices are disliked.
Supporting text
A stratagem wherein a person takes an item under oath (not to sell below a price) and then requests a gift of some amount is regarded as a stratagem (Hilah).