Author: Dr. Muhammad Ziya-ur-Rahman Azmi رحمه الله
◈ Trading One Gold Item for Another – Islamic Legal Perspective ◈
Is it permissible to exchange one gold item for another?
For example: I take my friend’s gold ring and give him another gold ring in return, and both of us know the market value of the rings.
✔ If both gold items are of equal weight,
✔ Contain only gold (no additional metals or materials),
✔ And the exchange is conducted hand to hand (immediate transaction),
Then this exchange is permissible.
This is based on the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
“Gold for gold, silver for silver… equal for equal and hand to hand.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1587/81
✖ If one of the gold items is heavier than the other, then the exchange is not allowed — even if the price difference is compensated.
The Prophet ﷺ clearly stated:
“Equal for equal.”
This strict condition applies to ribā al-faḍl (excess in barter of same kind), especially with ribāwī items such as gold and silver.
If both gold rings are of unequal weight, and a person still wants to make the exchange, there are two permissible alternatives:
① Sell one ring for cash,
② Then use that cash to purchase the other ring.
This separates the two transactions and avoids prohibited exchange (ribā).
Ibn ʿUthaymīn – Nūr ʿala al-Darb 121/235
◈ Trading One Gold Item for Another – Islamic Legal Perspective ◈
❖ The Question:
Is it permissible to exchange one gold item for another?
For example: I take my friend’s gold ring and give him another gold ring in return, and both of us know the market value of the rings.
❖ The Ruling:
✔ If both gold items are of equal weight,
✔ Contain only gold (no additional metals or materials),
✔ And the exchange is conducted hand to hand (immediate transaction),
Then this exchange is permissible.
This is based on the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
“Gold for gold, silver for silver… equal for equal and hand to hand.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1587/81❖ What If the Weights Differ?
✖ If one of the gold items is heavier than the other, then the exchange is not allowed — even if the price difference is compensated.
The Prophet ﷺ clearly stated:
“Equal for equal.”
This strict condition applies to ribā al-faḍl (excess in barter of same kind), especially with ribāwī items such as gold and silver.
❖ Practical Solution:
If both gold rings are of unequal weight, and a person still wants to make the exchange, there are two permissible alternatives:
① Sell one ring for cash,
② Then use that cash to purchase the other ring.
This separates the two transactions and avoids prohibited exchange (ribā).
Ibn ʿUthaymīn – Nūr ʿala al-Darb 121/235