21/5. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1519b — Seller’s Choice After Market Arrival
The prohibition of intercepting traders
Hadith About Meeting Merchants Before the Market
Sahih Muslim : 1519b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1519b
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي هِشَامٌ، الْقُرْدُوسِيُّ عَنِ ابْنِ سِيرِينَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَلَقَّوُا الْجَلَبَ . فَمَنْ تَلَقَّاهُ فَاشْتَرَى مِنْهُ فَإِذَا أَتَى سَيِّدُهُ السُّوقَ فَهُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ" .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Do not meet the merchant in the way and enter into business transaction with him, and whoever meets him and buys from him (and in case it is done, see) that when the owner of (merchandise) comes into the market (and finds that he has been paid less price) he has the option (to declare the transaction null and void).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1519bIn-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 23USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3627
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1519b
This hadith gives more detail about meeting merchants before they reach the market. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said not to meet the merchant on the way and enter into a business transaction with him. If someone does meet him and buys from him, then when the owner of the merchandise comes to the market and finds that he was paid a lower price, he has the option to declare the transaction null and void. The wording protects the seller from being caught before knowing the market situation. This hadith is a key text for Islamic business ethics, fair market access, and trade without unfair advantage. It teaches that early road-side deals can harm fairness when the seller lacks market knowledge.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not meet merchants on the way to make a business deal.
- The seller is given an option after reaching the market in the stated case.
- Market knowledge matters in fair transactions.
- Trade should not take advantage of a seller before he reaches the marketplace.
