A Comprehensive Guide to Prohibited Types of Trade in Islam

Source: Urdu Commentary of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam from the Sayings of the Best of Mankind
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir

✿ Hadith 1: Prohibition of Munabadha and Mulamasah​

Narrated by: Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه)

“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade Munabadha – where a man throws a garment to another in sale before examining it – and Mulamasah – where a sale is made merely by touch, without looking at the item.”

Reason: These transactions involve deception and uncertainty, violating Shari‘ah's principle of clarity in trade.

References:
  • Sahih al-Bukhari: 2144
  • Sahih Muslim: 1512

Hadith 2: Prohibition of Market Manipulation and Deceptive Practices

Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه)

_The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited:
  • Meeting trade caravans outside the city
  • Undercutting someone’s sale
  • Artificially inflating prices (Najsh)
  • City-dwellers selling for Bedouins
  • Withholding milk in udders to deceive buyers_

✔ The buyer has three days to return the animal and must give one sā‘ of dates if unsatisfied.

References:
  • Sahih al-Bukhari: 2150
  • Sahih Muslim: 1515, 1524

✿ Hadith 3: Prohibition of Habal al-Habalah​

Narrated by: Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما)

“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade Habal al-Habalah – a pre-Islamic transaction in which a man buys a camel in exchange for the offspring of the offspring of a pregnant camel.”

Reason: It involves uncertain timelines and nonexistent goods, both of which are invalid in Islamic trade.

References:
  • Sahih al-Bukhari: 2143
  • Sahih Muslim: 3843

✿ Hadith 4: Prohibition of Selling Unripened Fruits​

Narrated by: Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما)

“The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited selling fruits until their ripeness is evident. This prohibition applies to both seller and buyer.”

✔ Ensures fairness and avoids loss due to unforeseen damage.

References:
  • Sahih al-Bukhari: 2194
  • Sahih Muslim: 1534

✿ Hadith 5: Fruits Must Ripen Before Sale​

Narrated by: Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه)

“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade selling fruits until they ripen. When asked what that means, he said: Until they turn red. He added: If Allah withholds the fruit, how can one justify taking his brother’s money?”

✔ Highlights the ethical foundation of trade in Islam—no one may benefit from another’s loss.

References:
  • Sahih al-Bukhari: 2198
  • Sahih Muslim: 1555

✿ Conclusion:​

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) laid down clear principles in commerce to safeguard:

Transparency
Fairness
Mutual consent
Avoidance of uncertainty and harm

All these rulings aim to ensure the integrity of trade and prevent injustice and exploitation.
 
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