Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)
✔ Exchanging two dirhams for one dirham
✔ Exchanging two dinars for one dinar
✔ Exchanging two measures (sa‘) of dates for one measure (sa‘) of dates
Such an increase in a hand-to-hand transaction of the same commodity constitutes Riba al-Fadl.
For example:
✔ If a person sells dates for dates, the transaction must be equal in quantity and immediate in exchange before both parties separate.
✔ If a person exchanges barley for dates, both must also be exchanged immediately before separation.
✔ If possession is delayed, this falls under Riba al-Nasi’ah, as seen in the case of exchanging dates for dates but delaying possession or exchanging barley for dates with a delay in receiving possession.
✔ Unequal exchange occurs (causing Riba al-Fadl).
✔ Delay in possession occurs (causing Riba al-Nasi’ah).
For example, if dates are exchanged for dates with inequality in quantity and delay in possession, both types of Riba apply:
Riba al-Nasi’ah occurs when items subject to Riba must be exchanged immediately, but their possession is delayed.
Riba al-Fadl occurs when items requiring equal exchange are transacted with an excess in quantity.
Reference: Ibn Uthaymeen, Nur ‘ala al-Darb (Volume 4, Page 235)
Meaning of Riba al-Fadl
Riba al-Fadl refers to usury (interest) involving an increase or excess in exchange without a time delay. This occurs in transactions where two items of the same type are exchanged immediately but with inequality in quantity. Examples include:✔ Exchanging two dirhams for one dirham
✔ Exchanging two dinars for one dinar
✔ Exchanging two measures (sa‘) of dates for one measure (sa‘) of dates
Such an increase in a hand-to-hand transaction of the same commodity constitutes Riba al-Fadl.
Meaning of Riba al-Nasi’ah
Riba al-Nasi’ah (usury based on delay or credit) occurs when there is a delay in taking possession of an item that must be received immediately.For example:
✔ If a person sells dates for dates, the transaction must be equal in quantity and immediate in exchange before both parties separate.
✔ If a person exchanges barley for dates, both must also be exchanged immediately before separation.
✔ If possession is delayed, this falls under Riba al-Nasi’ah, as seen in the case of exchanging dates for dates but delaying possession or exchanging barley for dates with a delay in receiving possession.
The Combination of Riba al-Fadl and Riba al-Nasi’ah
At times, both types of Riba can occur together in a single transaction. This happens when:✔ Unequal exchange occurs (causing Riba al-Fadl).
✔ Delay in possession occurs (causing Riba al-Nasi’ah).
For example, if dates are exchanged for dates with inequality in quantity and delay in possession, both types of Riba apply:
- Riba al-Fadl due to the excess.
- Riba al-Nasi’ah due to the delay.
Summary of Riba in Transactions
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