Source: Urdu Commentary of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam from the Sayings of the Best of Mankind
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited Muzabanah, which is that a person sells the fruit of his orchard: if it is dates on the trees, in exchange for dry dates by measure; if it is grapes, in exchange for raisins by measure; or if it is standing crops, in exchange for measured grain. He forbade all such transactions.”
A forbidden sale where uncertain, unharvested produce still on trees or in the field is exchanged for a measured quantity of its processed form (e.g., fresh dates for dry dates, grapes for raisins), despite the quantity of the standing produce being unknown.
✔ The standing produce's final yield or weight is unknown, while the dried product is measured and definite. This imbalance can lead to deception or loss.
✔ Shari‘ah promotes fairness and clarity in trade, avoiding all forms of speculation and ambiguity.
Key Takeaway:
Any transaction involving an unknown quantity of produce for a known quantity of the same type is invalid unless properly weighed or measured after ripening or harvesting.
Hadith Reference:
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir
✿ Hadith : The Prohibition of Muzabanah
Narrated by: Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما)“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited Muzabanah, which is that a person sells the fruit of his orchard: if it is dates on the trees, in exchange for dry dates by measure; if it is grapes, in exchange for raisins by measure; or if it is standing crops, in exchange for measured grain. He forbade all such transactions.”
✿ Explanation of Vocabulary:
المزابنة (Muzabanah):A forbidden sale where uncertain, unharvested produce still on trees or in the field is exchanged for a measured quantity of its processed form (e.g., fresh dates for dry dates, grapes for raisins), despite the quantity of the standing produce being unknown.
✿ Explanation of the Hadith:
✔ Muzabanah is prohibited due to its inherent uncertainty (gharar) and risk of unfair advantage.✔ The standing produce's final yield or weight is unknown, while the dried product is measured and definite. This imbalance can lead to deception or loss.
✔ Shari‘ah promotes fairness and clarity in trade, avoiding all forms of speculation and ambiguity.
Key Takeaway:
Any transaction involving an unknown quantity of produce for a known quantity of the same type is invalid unless properly weighed or measured after ripening or harvesting.
Hadith Reference:
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith not directly cited in numbering here.
