22/15. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1586a — Hand-to-Hand Exchange Rule
Exchange and Selling Gold for Silver on the spot
Hand to Hand Exchange Hadith: Gold, Silver, Wheat, Barley, and Dates
Sahih Muslim : 1586a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1586a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَوْسِ بْنِ الْحَدَثَانِ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَقْبَلْتُ أَقُولُ مَنْ يَصْطَرِفُ الدَّرَاهِمَ فَقَالَ طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ وَهُوَ عِنْدَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَرِنَا ذَهَبَكَ ثُمَّ ائْتِنَا إِذَا جَاءَ خَادِمُنَا نُعْطِكَ وَرِقَكَ . فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ كَلاَّ وَاللَّهِ لَتُعْطِيَنَّهُ وَرِقَهُ أَوْ لَتَرُدَّنَّ إِلَيْهِ ذَهَبَهُ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْوَرِقُ بِالذَّهَبِ رِبًا إِلاَّ هَاءَ وَهَاءَ وَالْبُرُّ بِالْبُرِّ رِبًا إِلاَّ هَاءَ وَهَاءَ وَالشَّعِيرُ بِالشَّعِيرِ رِبًا إِلاَّ هَاءَ وَهَاءَ وَالتَّمْرُ بِالتَّمْرِ رِبًا إِلاَّ هَاءَ وَهَاءَ" .
Malik b. Aus b. al-Hadathan Narrated from:
I came saying who was prepared to exchange dirhams (for my gold), whereupon Talha b. Ubaidullah (Allah be pleased with him) (as he was sitting with 'Umar b. Khattib) said: Show us your gold and then come to us (at a later time). When our servant would come we would give you your silver (dirhams due to you).Thereupon 'Umar b. al-Khattib (Allah be pleased with him) said: Not at all. By Allah, either give him his silver (coins). or return his gold to him, for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Exchange of silver for gold (has an element of) interest in it. except when (it is exchanged) on the spot;and wheat for wheat is an interest unless both are handed over on the spot: barley for barley is interest unless both are handed over on the spot; dates for dates is interest unless both are handed over on the Spot.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1586aIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 98USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3850
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1586a
This hand to hand exchange Hadith gives a practical scene and a clear ruling. Malik b. Aus wanted to exchange dirhams for his gold. Talha suggested seeing the gold and giving the silver later when his servant came. Umar objected and said either give the silver now or return the gold, because Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that silver for gold has riba in it except when exchanged on the spot. The Hadith also mentions wheat for wheat, barley for barley, and dates for dates, each requiring spot exchange. The main message is that delay can matter in certain exchanges. The narration teaches care in financial dealings and quick correction when a transaction risks falling into riba.
What we learn from this hadith
- Silver for gold must be exchanged on the spot in this narration.
- Umar corrected a delayed exchange before it went forward.
- Wheat, barley, and dates are also mentioned with spot exchange.
- The Hadith teaches caution in transactions connected to riba.
