22/15. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1588a — Riba Rules in Equal Exchange
Exchange and Selling Gold for Silver on the spot
Hadith About Riba in Equal Exchange
Sahih Muslim : 1588a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1588a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ وَوَاصِلُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " التَّمْرُ بِالتَّمْرِ وَالْحِنْطَةُ بِالْحِنْطَةِ وَالشَّعِيرُ بِالشَّعِيرِ وَالْمِلْحُ بِالْمِلْحِ مِثْلاً بِمِثْلٍ يَدًا بِيَدٍ فَمَنْ زَادَ أَوِ اسْتَزَادَ فَقَدْ أَرْبَى إِلاَّ مَا اخْتَلَفَتْ أَلْوَانُهُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Dates are to be paid for by dates, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, salt by salt, like for like, payment being made on the spot. He who made an addition or demanded an addition, in fact, dealt in usury except in case where their classes differ.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1588aIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 105USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3856
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1588a
This Hadith gives a clear rule for trade involving dates, wheat, barley, and salt. When the same item is exchanged for the same item, it must be like for like, and payment must be made on the spot. The main teaching is about riba, or usury, in exchange. If someone adds more or asks for more in the same class of goods, the Hadith says this falls into usury. The text also mentions an exception when the classes differ. So the focus is fair exchange, equal measure, and immediate payment when dealing with the same type of item.
What we learn from this hadith
- Same-type goods mentioned in the Hadith should be exchanged like for like.
- Payment should be made on the spot for the exchange described in the text.
- Adding extra or demanding extra in the same class is described as usury.
- Different classes are treated differently in the wording of the Hadith.
