21/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1524d — Two Choices After Purchase
Ruling on selling Al-Musarrah (An animal in whose udder milk has been allowed to accumulate)
Two Choices for the Buyer in Islam
Sahih Muslim : 1524d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1524d
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنِ اشْتَرَى شَاةً مُصَرَّاةً فَهُوَ بِخَيْرِ النَّظَرَيْنِ إِنْ شَاءَ أَمْسَكَهَا وَإِنْ شَاءَ رَدَّهَا وَصَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ لاَ سَمْرَاءَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who buys a goat having its udder tied up has two courses left for him. He may retain it, and if he desires may return it along with a sa' of dates and not wheat.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1524dIn-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 33USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3637
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1524d
This Hadith states that the buyer of a goat with its udder tied up has two courses open to him. He may keep it, or he may return it along with a sa' of dates, not wheat. The teaching is easy to understand. If the buyer is satisfied, the sale may continue. If he is not satisfied, there is a way to undo the sale while still accounting for what happened after purchase. This buyer rights Hadith shows that Islamic business ethics are balanced. They do not ignore the seller, and they do not leave the buyer harmed by a misleading presentation. The wording is specific, so the explanation should remain focused on this sale and this return rule.
What we learn from this hadith
- The buyer is given two clear choices.
- Keeping the animal is allowed if the buyer is satisfied.
- Returning it is tied to giving a sa' of dates.
- The narration specifically says not wheat.
