Q: I have a company which sells electrical appliances in installments secured by mortgages about which Allah (Exalted be He) states: And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then let there be a pledge taken (mortgaging) The customer comes in to buy electrical appliances from me at a certain price and I ask for a quantity of gold as a mortgage that is equal in value, or a bit less, to remain with me as a trust until they complete the installments according to the predefined period on which we agree. When the customer pays all the installments as agreed, I return their property in full as I took it; knowing that I weigh the gold and determine its type and value on the day the sale is concluded. Is what I do the Shar`y (Islamically lawful) manner of mortgaging? If I agree with the customer to sell the mortgaged item in case the due installments, or some of them, are not paid, am I entitled to sell it without their knowledge or must I inform them (Part No. 11; Page No. 141) that if they do not pay, I will sell it? Please give us advice on that issue.