44/18. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4500 — Fair Trade and No Broker Abuse
Meeting Traders On The Way
Hadith About Fair Trade and Market Ethics in Islam
Sunan an-Nasai : 4500
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4500
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يُتَلَقَّى الرُّكْبَانُ وَأَنْ يَبِيعَ حَاضِرٌ لِبَادٍ . قُلْتُ لاِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ مَا قَوْلُهُ حَاضِرٌ لِبَادٍ قَالَ لاَ يَكُونُ لَهُ سِمْسَارًا .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah forbade meeting the riders, and for a town-dweller. I said to Ibn 'Abbas: "What does a town-dweller (selling) for a desert-dweller mean?" he said: "He should not act as a broker for him,"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4500In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 52English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 4504
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4500
This hadith about fair trade focuses on two clear market rules. First, the Messenger of Allah forbade meeting riders before they reached the market. Second, he forbade a town-dweller from selling for a desert-dweller. Ibn Abbas explained the second point in simple words: the town-dweller should not act as a broker for him. The main lesson is that buying and selling in Islam should not be shaped by hidden advantage. A trader coming with goods should reach the normal market setting, where prices and choices are clearer. This protects honest trade, supports market fairness, and warns against using better local knowledge to control someone else’s sale.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not rush to meet incoming traders before they reach the market.
- A town-dweller should not act as a broker for a desert-dweller in this case.
- Fair buying and selling should avoid hidden advantage.
- Market access should be kept open and honest.
