Q: I went to a restaurant. We were specifically told that the tip is included in the price of the food. We were told not to tip. The waiter gets a flat percentage. Is this permissible. What if I wanted to tip the waiter? What if I found the service worthless and did not want to tip the waiter? Is this transaction correct?

A: Anything we purchase generally has hidden cost factors attributed to it. There is always the cost of transport, hiring of labor to get the merchandise on the floor, etc. Thus, it is possible that the duty of the waiter is to serve you well,  entice you to buy more than the bare minimum, thus increasing the percentage they are to gain from the total sale.

From a religious point of view, not only is this allowed, it is also creating (rida) pleasure between customer and seller. Naturally, a higher sales order indicates possible good service and/or better waiter promotion of foods and services.

If this practice of theirs offends you, merely write your objection to the owners. Should they choose not to listen to the consumer, you are welcome to eat elsewhere. Either way, the transaction is permissible.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.