Written by: Saudi Fatwa Committee
«لَا تَبِعْ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَكَ»
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3503)
"Do not sell what you do not have with you."
In another Hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
«لَا يَحِلُّ سَلَفٌ وَبَيْعٌ، وَلَا بَيْعُ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَكَ»
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1234; Sunan al-Nasa'i, Hadith No. 4611)
"It is not permissible to combine a loan and a sale, nor to sell what you do not possess."
Furthermore, Imam Ahmad and Imam Abu Dawood have narrated from Zayd bin Thabit (رضي الله عنه), and this narration has been authenticated by Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim, where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade a trader from selling goods at the same place where they were purchased before taking them home.
«نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تُبَاعَ السِّلَعُ حَيْثُ تُبْتَاعُ حَتَّى يَحُوزَهَا التُّجَّارُ إِلَى رِحَالِهِمْ»
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3499)
Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) that:
"During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), people who sold foodstuff were punished if they sold it before bringing it to their homes."
(Sunan al-Nasa'i, Hadith No. 4608)
These authentic narrations collectively emphasize that a trader cannot sell goods at the place of purchase until they have been taken into possession.
Ruling on Goods Sold While Still in Place
It is not permissible for any Muslim to sell any goods, whether in cash or on credit, until they have ownership of the item and have taken possession of it. This ruling is based on the Hadith of Hakeem bin Hizam (رضي الله عنه) in which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:«لَا تَبِعْ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَكَ»
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3503)
"Do not sell what you do not have with you."
In another Hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
«لَا يَحِلُّ سَلَفٌ وَبَيْعٌ، وَلَا بَيْعُ مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَكَ»
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1234; Sunan al-Nasa'i, Hadith No. 4611)
"It is not permissible to combine a loan and a sale, nor to sell what you do not possess."
Explanation Based on These Ahadith
Anyone who buys goods cannot sell them to someone else until the goods have been physically taken into their possession.Furthermore, Imam Ahmad and Imam Abu Dawood have narrated from Zayd bin Thabit (رضي الله عنه), and this narration has been authenticated by Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim, where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade a trader from selling goods at the same place where they were purchased before taking them home.
«نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تُبَاعَ السِّلَعُ حَيْثُ تُبْتَاعُ حَتَّى يَحُوزَهَا التُّجَّارُ إِلَى رِحَالِهِمْ»
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3499)
Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) that:
"During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), people who sold foodstuff were punished if they sold it before bringing it to their homes."
(Sunan al-Nasa'i, Hadith No. 4608)
These authentic narrations collectively emphasize that a trader cannot sell goods at the place of purchase until they have been taken into possession.
Summary
Based on the above Ahadith:- Goods cannot be sold until they are physically owned and possessed.
- Selling goods at the place of purchase before taking them home is prohibited.
- This ruling applies to both cash and credit sales.