✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
Introduction
إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, and ask His forgiveness. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He allows to go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone, without partner, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger.
✿ A Golden Story of Buying and Selling
Hadith 1
«عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: اشترى رجل ممن كان قبلكم عقارا من رجل، فوجد الذى اشترى العقار فى عقاره جرة فيها ذهب ، فقال له الذى اشترى العقار: خذ ذهبك منى ، إنما اشتريت العقار ، ولم أبتع منك الذهب ، فقال بائع الأرض إنما بعتك الأرض وما فيها ، قال: فتحاكما إلى رجل ، فقال الذى تحاكما إليه: ألكما ولد؟ فقال أحدهما: لى غلام ، وقال الآخر: لى جارية. فقال أنكحوا الغلام الجارية ، وأنفقوا على أنفسكما منه ، وتصدقا»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb Aḥādīth al-Anbiyā’, Ḥadīth No. 2372; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth No. 4497Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A man among those before you bought a piece of land from another man. The buyer found a jar full of gold in that land. He said to the seller: ‘Take your gold back, for I bought only the land from you, not the gold.’ The seller replied: ‘I sold you the land and everything in it.’ So they took their case to a judge. The judge asked: ‘Do you have children?’ One said: ‘I have a son,’ and the other said: ‘I have a daughter.’ The judge said: ‘Marry the boy to the girl, spend from that wealth on yourselves, and give some of it in charity.’”
✿ Condemnation of Deceit in Trade
Hadith 2
«وعنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر على صبرة طعام ، فأدخل يده فيها ، فنالت اصابعه بللا . فقال: ما هذا يا صاحب الطعام؟ قال: أصابته السماء يا رسول الله قال: أفلا جعلته فوق الطعام حتى يراه الناس ، من غش فليس مني»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Īmān, Ḥadīth No. 284Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by a heap of grain. He put his hand into it, and his fingers felt dampness. He said, “What is this, O owner of the grain?” The man replied, “It was rained upon, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Why did you not put it on top so that people could see it? Whoever cheats is not from me.”
Hadith 3
«و عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما ، قال: قال رجل للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: إني أخدع فى البيوع ، فقال: إذا بايعت فقل: لا خلابة . فكان الرجل يقوله»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2117; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 3860Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما reported: A man said to the Prophet ﷺ, “I am often cheated in business transactions.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “When you make a deal, say: ‘There is no deception (lā khilābah).’” The man would then use this phrase in his dealings.
✿ Encouragement to Repay Debts in the Best Manner
Hadith 4
«وعنه رضي الله عنه أن رجلا تقاضى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأغلظ له ، فهم أصحابه، فقال: دعوه فإن لصاحب الحق مقالا، فاشتروا له بعيرا، فأعطوه إياه . قالوا: لا نجد إلا أفضل من سنه ، قال: اشتروه ، فاعطوه إياه، فإن خيركم أحسنكم قضاء»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Wakālah, Ḥadīth No. 2306; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 4410Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated: A man demanded repayment of a debt from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ harshly. The Companions intended to harm him, but the Prophet ﷺ said: “Leave him, for the creditor has the right to speak.” Then he ordered them to buy a camel and give it to him. They said, “We can only find one better in age.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Buy it and give it to him, for the best among you are those who repay in the best manner.”
✿ Encouragement to Grant Respite to the Needy Debtor
Hadith 5
«وعن أبى قتادة رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من سره أن ينجيه الله من كرب يوم القيامة فلينفس عن معسر ، أو يضع»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 4000Translation:
Hazrat Abu Qatādah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever wishes that Allah save him from the distress of the Day of Resurrection should grant respite to a debtor in difficulty or forgive his debt.”
✿ Prohibition of Selling Pigs
Hadith 6
«وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه: أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول عام الفتح وهو بمكة: إن الله ورسوله حرم بيع الخمر، والميتة ، والخنزير ، والأصنام، فقيل: يا رسول الله أرأيت شحوم الميتة؟ فإنه يطلى بها السفن، ويدهن بها الجلود، ويستصبح بها الناس؟ فقال: لا ، هو حرام . ثم قال عند ذلك: قاتل الله اليهود ، إن الله عزوجل لما حرم عليهم شحومها أجملوه، ثم باعوه فأكلوا ثمنه»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2236; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 4048Translation:
Hazrat Jābir bin ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, proclaim:
“Indeed, Allah and His Messenger have forbidden the sale of wine, dead animals, pigs, and idols.”
It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, what about the fat of dead animals? It is used to grease ships, to oil hides, and for lamps.”
He said: “No, it is forbidden.” Then he added: “May Allah curse the Jews; when Allah forbade them the fat, they melted it, sold it, and ate its price.”
✿ Earning Through Dogs and Prostitution is Forbidden
Hadith 7
«وعن أبى جحيفة رضي الله عنه أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى عن ثمن الدم ، وثمن الكلب، وكسب البغي ، ولعن آكل الربا ومؤكله ، والواشمة والمستوشمة ، والمصور»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Libās, Ḥadīth No. 5962Translation:
Hazrat Abu Juḥayfah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ forbade the price of blood, the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute. He also cursed the one who consumes interest, the one who gives it, the tattooist, the one who gets tattooed, and the image-maker.
✿ Virtue of Eating from One’s Own Earning
Hadith 8
«وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن أطيب ما أكلتم من كسبكم ، وإن أولادكم من كسبكم»
Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Aḥkām, Ḥadīth No. 1358; Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Ḥadīth Nos. 4454, 4457(Authenticated by al-Albānī)
Translation:
Hazrat ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The purest food that you eat is from what you earn yourselves, and your children are also from your earnings.”
✿ Virtue of Working with One’s Own Hands
Hadith 9
«وعن المقدام رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: ما أكل احد طعاما قط خيرا من أن يأكل من عمل يديه، وإن نبي الله داود عليه السلام كان يأكل من عمل يديه»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 2072Translation:
Hazrat al-Miqdām رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“No one ever ate food better than that which he earned through his own labor. Indeed, the Prophet of Allah, Dāwūd (David) عليه السلام, used to eat from the work of his own hands.”
✿ Distinguishing Between the Lawful and the Unlawful
Hadith 10
«وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه ، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: قال يأتى على الناس زمان لا يبالي المرء ما أخذ منه، امن الحلال ام من الحرام؟»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2059Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There will come a time upon people when a man will not care from where he earns — whether from lawful means or unlawful.”
✿ Condemnation of Unlawful Earnings
Hadith 11
«وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا يدخل الجنة لحم نبت من السحت. وكل لحم نبت من السحت كانت النار اولي به»
Musnad Aḥmad 3/321, Ḥadīth No. 14441; Sunan al-Dārimī 2/409, Ḥadīth No. 2776(Declared Qawī al-Isnād ʿalā Sharṭ Muslim by Shaykh Shuʿayb al-Arnaʾūṭ)
Translation:
Hazrat Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Flesh nourished by unlawful earnings will not enter Paradise. Every flesh that grows from what is unlawful, the Fire is more deserving of it.”
✿ Prohibition of Selling Alcohol
Hadith 12
«وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى الخمر عشرة: عاصرها ومعتصرها ، وشاربها ، وحاملها ، والمحمولة إليه ، وساقيها ، وبائعها ، واكل ثمنها ، والمشترى له»
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Ashriba, Ḥadīth No. 3381; Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Ḥadīth No. 1295(Authenticated by al-Albānī)
Translation:
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed ten categories of people in connection with wine:
“Those who make it, have it made, drink it, carry it, for whom it is carried, serve it, sell it, consume its price, buy it, and for whom it is bought.”
✿ Gentleness and Leniency in Buying and Selling
Hadith 13
«وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: رحم الله رجلا سمحا إذا باع ، وإذا اشترى ، وإذا اقتضى»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2076Translation:
Hazrat Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“May Allah have mercy on a man who is gentle and lenient when he sells, when he buys, and when he demands repayment.”
✿ Reward for Dealing Kindly in Buying and Selling
Hadith 14
«وعن حذيفة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن رجلا كان فيمن كان قبلكم أتاه الملك ليقبض روحه، فقيل له: هل عملت من خير؟ قال ما أعلم . قيل له: انظر . قال: ما أعلم شيئا غير أني كنت أبايع الناس فى الدنيا وأجازيهم فأنظر الموسر وأتجاوز عن المعسر فأدخله الله الجنة»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2077; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 1560/26Translation:
Hazrat Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“There was a man before you to whom the Angel came to take his soul. He was asked, ‘Have you done any good deeds?’ He replied, ‘I do not know.’ He was told, ‘Think again.’ He said, ‘I remember nothing except that I used to conduct business with people; I would grant respite to the rich and forgive the poor.’ Allah admitted him into Paradise.”
✿ Prohibition of Excessive Oaths in Trade
Hadith 15
«وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: الحلف منفقة للسلعة ، ممحقة للبركة»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2087Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Oaths may make a commodity sell, but they erase the blessing.”
✿ Condemnation of False Oaths in Selling
Hadith 16
«وعن أبى ذر رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ثلاثة لا يكلمهم الله يوم القيامة، ولا ينظر إليهم، ولا يزكيهم ، ولهم عذاب أليم . قال: فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثلاث مرات . قال ابوذر رضي الله عنه: خابوا وخسروا من هم يا رسول الله؟ قال: المسبل، والمنان، والمنفق سلعته بالحلف الكاذب»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Īmān, Ḥadīth No. 293Translation:
Hazrat Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Three types of people Allah will neither speak to, nor look at, nor purify on the Day of Resurrection, and they will have a painful punishment.”
The Prophet ﷺ repeated this three times. Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه said: “They are ruined and lost! Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied:
“The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favors, and the one who sells his goods by false oaths.”
✿ Permissibility of Brokerage
Hadith 17
«وعن قيس بن أبى غرزة رضي الله عنه قال: كنا نسمى فى عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم السماسرة، فمر بنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فسمانا باسم هو أحسن منه ، فقال: يا معشر التجار! إن البيع يحضره اللغو، والحلف ، فشوبوه بالصدقة»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 3326; Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Ḥadīth No. 1208 (Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ); Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Ḥadīth No. 3829; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth No. 2145(Authenticated by al-Albānī)
Translation:
Hazrat Qays ibn Abī Ghazrah رضي الله عنه reported:
“In the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we used to be called brokers (samasirah). The Prophet ﷺ passed by us and gave us a better name, saying:
‘O assembly of traders! Indeed, trade involves idle talk and oaths, so mix it with charity (to purify it).’”
✿ Virtue of the Truthful and Righteous Merchant
Hadith 18
«و عن عبيد بن رفاعة عن أبيه، عن جده، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: التجار يحشرون يوم القيامة فجارا ، إلا من اتقى وبر صدق»
Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Ḥadīth No. 1210; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth No. 2146; Sunan al-Dārimī, Ḥadīth No. 2541(Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ)
Translation:
ʿUbayd ibn Rifāʿah narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Traders will be resurrected as wicked people, except those who fear Allah, are righteous, and speak the truth.”
✿ When Does a Sale Become Binding?
Hadith 19
«و عن حكيم بن حزام رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: البيعان بالخيار ما لم يتفرقا ، فإن صدقا وبينا بورك لهما فى بيعهما ، وإن كتما وكذبا محقت بركة بيعهما»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2108; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 3858Translation:
Hazrat Ḥakīm ibn Ḥizām رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The buyer and the seller have the option (to cancel) until they part. If they speak the truth and make everything clear, their transaction will be blessed; but if they conceal and lie, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.”
✿ Ribā (Usury) and Interest-Based Business are Forbidden
Qur’anic Verses
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ . فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ .﴾
(Al-Baqarah: 278–279)Translation:
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up whatever remains of usury, if you are truly believers. If you do not, then be informed of a war from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal — neither wronging others, nor being wronged.”
Hadith 20
«وعن جابر رضي الله عنه ، قال: لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا ، وموكله ، وكاتبه، و شاهديه، وقال: هم سواء»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 4093Translation:
Hazrat Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed the one who consumes interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it, and its witnesses, and said: “They are all equal (in sin).”
✿ The Fate of Those Engaged in Usury
Qur’anic Verses
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَاتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا . وَأَخْذِهِمُ الرِّبَا وَقَدْ نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَأَكْلِهِمْ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا.﴾
(Al-Nisā’: 160–161)Translation:
“Because of the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made unlawful for them certain good foods that had been lawful, and because of their hindering many from the way of Allah — and for taking usury though they were forbidden from it, and for consuming people’s wealth unjustly — We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.”
Hadith 21
«و عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الربا وإن كثر عاقبته تصير إلى قل»
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Tijārāt, Ḥadīth No. 2279; Musnad Aḥmad, Ḥadīth No. 3754(Authenticated by al-Albānī)
Translation:
Hazrat Ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Even if usury increases greatly, its end result will be poverty and loss.”
✿ Condemnation of Usury
Hadith 22
«وعن أبى هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: الربا ثلاثة وسبعون بابا ، أيسرها أن ينكح الرجل أمه ، وإن أربى الربا عرض الرجل المسلم»
Al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim 2/37; Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr, Ḥadīth No. 3533Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Usury has seventy-three types. The least of them is like a man committing adultery with his mother, and the worst of all usury is violating the honor of a Muslim.”
✿ Obligation to Disclose Defects in Sale
Hadith 23
«وعن عقبة بن عامر ، قال: سمعت رسول الله يقول: المسلم اخو المسلم، ولا يحل لمسلم باع من أخيه بيعا، فيه عيب إلا بينه له»
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Tijārāt, Ḥadīth No. 2246; Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr, Ḥadīth No. 6705Translation:
Hazrat ʿUqbah bin ʿĀmir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and it is not lawful for a Muslim to sell to his brother any item that has a defect without disclosing it.”
✿ Seven Destructive Sins
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾
(Āl ʿImrān: 130)Translation:
“O you who believe! Do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied; and fear Allah so that you may be successful.”
Hadith 24
«وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: اجتنبوا السبع الموبقات قالوا: وما هن يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال: الشرك بالله ، والسحر ، وقتل النفس التى حرم الله إلا بالحق ، وأكل الربا، وأكل مال اليتيم ، والتولى يوم الزحف، وقدف المحصنات المؤمنات الغافلات»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥudūd, Ḥadīth No. 6857Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Avoid the seven destructive sins.”
They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He said:
“Associating partners with Allah, practicing sorcery, killing a soul which Allah has forbidden except in justice, consuming usury, consuming the property of orphans, fleeing from the battlefield, and accusing chaste believing women who are unaware (of such sins).”
✿ Consuming Interest is Among the Gravest Sins
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَ فِي أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُو عِندَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُضْعِفُونَ﴾
(Al-Rūm: 39)Translation:
“And whatever you give in usury, intending that it should increase within people’s wealth, it will not increase with Allah. But whatever you give in zakat, seeking the Face of Allah — it is those who multiply their reward.”
Hadith 25
«وعن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: درهم ربا ياكله الرجل وهو يعلم ، أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية»
Musnad Aḥmad 5/25; Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (Checked by al-Albānī) 2/859(Declared Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād by Shaykh Ḥamzah Zayn)
Translation:
ʿAbdullāh ibn Ḥanẓalah (Ghaseel al-Malā’ikah) رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“One dirham of usury which a man knowingly consumes is more severe in sin than committing adultery thirty-six times.”
✿ It is Forbidden to Consume the Property of Others Unjustly
Hadith 26
«وعنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لو بعت من أخيك ثمرا ، فاصابته جائحة ، فلا يحل لك ان تأخذ منه شيئا ، بم تأخذ مال أخيك بغير حق؟ »
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 3975Translation:
Hazrat Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If you sell fruit to your (Muslim) brother and it is later struck by a calamity, it is not lawful for you to take anything from him. On what basis would you take your brother’s wealth unjustly?”
✿ Prohibition of Bidding Against Another’s Sale
Hadith 27
«وعن ابن عمر عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يبع الرجل على بيع أخيه ، ولا يخطب على خطبة أخيه ، إلا أن يأذن له»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Nikāḥ, Ḥadīth No. 3455Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A man must not sell over his brother’s sale, nor propose over his brother’s proposal, unless he gives him permission.”
✿ Dignity of Labor and Hard Work
Hadith 28
«و عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قالت الأنصار للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: اقسم بيننا وبين إخواننا النخيل، قال: لا ، تكفونا المؤونة، ونشرككم فى الثمرة . قالوا: سمعنا وأطعنا»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥirāth wa al-Muzāraʿah, Ḥadīth No. 2325Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
The Ansār said to the Prophet ﷺ, “Distribute the date palms between us and our (Muhājir) brothers.” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “No. (O Muhājirīn,) you will work, and we will share the produce with you.” They said, “We hear and we obey.”
✿ A Warning Against Dying in Debt
Hadith 29
«و عن أبى موسى رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن من أعظم الذنوب عند الله ان يلقاه بها عبد بعد الكبائر التى نهى الله عنها ، ان يموت رجل و عليه دين لا يدع له قضاء»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2342; Musnad Aḥmad 4/392; Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Ḥadīth No. 2922(Authenticated by Shaykh Ḥamzah Zayn)
Translation:
Hazrat Abu Mūsā رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Among the gravest sins before Allah, after the major sins which He has forbidden, is that a man dies while he owes a debt and leaves behind nothing with which to repay it.”
✿ An Official Must Avoid Accepting Gifts Related to His Position
Hadith 30
«و عن أبى بردة بن أبى موسى، قال: قدمت المدينة ، فلقيت عبد الله بن سلام رضي الله عنه ، فقال: إنك بأرض الربا بها فاش ، فإذا كان لك على رجل حق ، فأهدى إليك حمل تبن، أو حمل شعير ، أو حبل قت فلا تأخذه فإنه ربا»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb Manāqib al-Anṣār, Ḥadīth No. 3814Translation:
Hazrat Abu Burdah bin Abu Mūsā رضي الله عنه said:
“When I came to Madinah, I met ʿAbdullāh ibn Salām رضي الله عنه. He said: ‘You live in a land where usury is widespread. So, if you have a claim over someone and he offers you a bundle of straw, barley, or fodder as a gift, do not accept it — for it is (a form of) usury.’”
✿ Prohibition of Hoarding and Withholding Goods
Hadith 31
«وعن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه ، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: من احتكر على المسلمين طعامهم ضربه الله بالجذام والإفلاس»
Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Tijārāt, Ḥadīth No. 2155; Shuʿab al-Īmān (al-Bayhaqī) 11218; Musnad Aḥmad 1/21; Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Ḥadīth No. 2995(Authenticated by Aḥmad Shākir)
Translation:
Hazrat ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“Whoever hoards food and withholds it from the Muslims, Allah will strike him with leprosy and poverty.”
Hadith 32
«وعن معمر رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من احتكر فهو خاطيء»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Musāqāh, Ḥadīth No. 4122Translation:
Hazrat Maʿmar رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever hoards goods (to raise prices) is a sinner.”
✿ Fixing Prices is Not Allowed
Hadith 33
«و عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: غلا السعر على عهد النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالوا: يا رسول الله سعر لنا ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله هو المسعر القابض الباسط الرازق، وإني لأرجوا ان القى ربي و ليس أحد منكم يطلبني بمظلمة بدم ولا مال»
Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Ḥadīth No. 1314; Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth No. 345; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth No. 2200(Authenticated by al-Albānī)
Translation:
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه reported:
“When prices rose during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the people said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Set prices for us.’ He ﷺ replied:
‘Indeed, it is Allah who fixes prices, who withholds and extends provision, and who provides sustenance. And I hope to meet my Lord without anyone among you having a claim against me regarding blood or wealth.’”
✿ Pledging Property (Rahn – Mortgage)
Hadith 34
«وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها ، قالت: توفي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ودرعه موهونة عند يهودي بثلاثين صاعا من شعير»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād wa al-Siyar, Ḥadīth No. 2916Translation:
Hazrat ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها reported:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away, his armor was mortgaged to a Jew for thirty ṣāʿ of barley.”
✿ The Golden Principle of Partnership
Hadith 35
«عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه ، رفعه ، قال: إن الله عزوجل يقول: أنا ثالث الشريكين ، ما لم يخن احدهما صاحبه، فإذا خانه خرجت من بينهما»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 3383; Irwā’ al-Ghalīl, Ḥadīth No. 1468Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Allah Almighty declares:
“I am the third partner between two partners, as long as one of them does not betray the other. But when one betrays the other, I withdraw from between them.”
✿ Virtue of Consuming Lawful Earnings
Qur’anic Verses
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ﴾
(Al-Baqarah: 172)Translation:
“O you who believe! Eat from the good and pure things which We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah if it is truly Him that you worship.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ﴾
(Al-Mu’minūn: 51)Translation:
“O Messengers! Eat from what is wholesome and pure, and perform righteous deeds. Indeed, I am All-Aware of what you do.”
Hadith 36
«وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله طيب لا يقبل إلا طيبا، وإن الله امر المؤمنين بما أمر به المرسلين، فقال: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا﴾ (المؤمنون: 51) وقال: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ﴾ (البقرة: 172) ثم ذكر ، الرجل يطيل السفر ، أشعث أغبر ، يمد يديه إلى السماء ، يا رب يا رب و مطعمه حرام ، ومشربه حرام، وملبسه حرام، وغذي بالحرام، فأنى يستجاب لذلك؟»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zakāh, Ḥadīth No. 2346Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is Pure and accepts only what is pure. And Allah has commanded the believers with the same as He commanded the Messengers:
He said: ‘O Messengers! Eat from what is pure and do righteous deeds’ (Al-Mu’minūn: 51);
and He said: ‘O you who believe! Eat from the good things We have provided for you’ (Al-Baqarah: 172).
Then he mentioned a man who travels far, his hair disheveled and covered with dust. He raises his hands to the sky saying: ‘O Lord! O Lord!’ — yet his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully — how then can his supplication be answered?”
✿ Avoiding Doubtful Matters
Hadith 37
«و عن النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: الحلال بين والحرام بين، وبينهما مشتبهات ، لا يعلمهن كثير من الناس ، فمن اتقى الشبهات استبرأ لدينه وعرضه، ومن وقع فى الشبهات وقع فى الحرام ، كا الراعي يرعى حول الحمى يوشك أن يرتع فيه ، الا وإن لكل ملك حمى ، الا وإن حمى الله محارمه ، ألا وإن فى الجسد مضغة إذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله، وإذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله، الا و هي القلب»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Īmān, Ḥadīth No. 52Translation:
Hazrat al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, but between them are doubtful matters which many people do not know. Whoever avoids doubtful matters has protected his religion and honor, and whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into the unlawful, like a shepherd who grazes near a sanctuary and is likely to enter it. Truly, every king has a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of Allah is His prohibitions. Truly, in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt — truly, it is the heart.”
✿ Granting Relief to the Needy Leads to Shade of the Throne
Hadith 38
«و عن أبى اليسر رضي الله عنه ، قال: سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: من أنظر معسرا أو وضع عنه ، اظله الله فى ظله»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zuhd, Ḥadīth No. 7512 (abridged)Translation:
Hazrat Abu al-Yasar رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever grants respite to one in financial difficulty or forgives him his debt, Allah will shade him under His own shade (on the Day of Resurrection).”
✿ Truthfulness in Trade
Hadith 39
«وحكيم بن حزام الله رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: البيعان بالخيار ما لم يتفرقا أو قال: حتى يتفرقا فإن صدقا وبينا بورك لهما فى بيعهما ، وإن كتما وكذبا محقت بركة بيعهما»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Buyūʿ, Ḥadīth No. 2079Translation:
Hazrat Ḥakīm ibn Ḥizām رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The buyer and seller have the option (to cancel) until they part. If they speak the truth and make things clear, they will be blessed in their transaction; but if they lie and conceal defects, the blessing of their transaction will be erased.”
✿ Condemnation of Deceptive Bidding
Hadith 40
«وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يتلقى الركبان لبيع ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض ولا تناجشوا ولا يبع حاضر لباد ولا تصروا الإبل والغنم فمن إبتاعها بعد ذلك فهو بخير النظرين بعد أن يحلبها فإن رضيها أمسكها وإن سخطها ردها وصاعا من تمر»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Nikāḥ, Ḥadīth No. 3459Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not meet traders on their way (to intercept and buy their goods), and do not sell over another’s sale, nor artificially raise prices by bidding without intention to buy. Let not a city-dweller sell on behalf of a desert-dweller, and do not tie the udders of camels or sheep (to deceive buyers). Whoever buys them after that has the option: after milking them, if he is satisfied, he keeps them; but if dissatisfied, he may return them along with a ṣāʿ of dates (as compensation for the milk).”
Conclusion
All these blessed traditions emphasize honesty, fairness, patience, and purity in business transactions.
They teach Muslims to seek halāl income, avoid deception and interest, and maintain truthfulness and mercy in all dealings.
وصلى الله تعالى على خير خلقه محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon His best creation — Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and his companions.
