The Chapters on Business Transactions

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who looks after a widow or a needy person is like one who performs Jihad in the cause of Allah, or one who regularly observes voluntary prayer at night and fasting during the day."

Sakhr ibn Wadā‘ah al-Ghāmidi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, bless the early morning hours for my Ummah." Whenever the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent a detachment or an army, he would send them at the early morning time. Sakhr was a merchant, and he used to send his merchandise at the early morning time, so he became rich and his wealth grew.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah did not send a prophet except that he tended sheep." His Companions said: "And you?" He said: "Yes, I used to tend sheep for the people of Makkah in return for some Qirāts."

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Verily, those who make these images will be tortured on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them: 'Bring to life what you have created.'"

Abu Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited the price of a dog, the earning of a prostitute, and the money paid to a soothsayer.

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), in the year of the Conquest, when he was in Makkah, say: "Indeed, Allah and His Messenger have forbidden selling alcohol, dead animals, swine, and idols." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about the fat of dead animals that is used for coating boats and daubing hides, and people use it for lighting purposes?" He said: "No, it is forbidden." Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah destroy the Jews. Indeed, Allah had forbidden fat to them, but they melted it and then sold it and consumed its price."

Mālik ibn Aws ibn al-Hadathān reported: I came saying: Who will exchange the dirhams? Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullāh, who was in the company of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with both of them), said: Show us your gold, then come to us when our servant comes to give you your silver. Thereupon, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb said: No, by Allah, you must either give him his silver or give him back his gold, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Silver for gold is Riba (usury) unless exchanged on the spot; wheat for wheat is Riba unless exchanged on the spot; barley for barley is Riba unless exchanged on the spot; and dates for dates is Riba unless exchanged on the spot."

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās(may Allah be pleased with him) reported: 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade riders (carrying merchandise) being met on their way, and a townsman selling for a man from the desert.'' The narrator asked Ibn ‘Abbās: ''What does it mean that a townsman should not sell for a man from the desert?" He said: ''That he should not work as a broker on his behalf.''

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, they used to pay one, two or three years in advance for fruits, so he said: "Whoever pays in advance for anything, let him pay for a specified measure and a specified weight, to be delivered on a specified period of time."

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that people said: "O Messenger of Allah, the prices have shot up, so fix the prices for us." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah is the One who fixes prices, the Withholder, the Extender, and the Provider. Indeed, I wish to meet Allah while none of you will have any claim against me for an injustice regarding blood or property."

Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when he sells, when he buys, and when he asks for repayment of the debt."

Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Beware of excessive swearing (by Allah) in sale transactions, for it sells (the goods) then erases (the blessing)."

Abu Safwān Suwayd ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Makhramah al-‘Abdi and I brought some linen garments from Hajar. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to us and bargained with us for some pants. There was a man present who would weigh merchandise (in scales) for a wage. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Weigh, and add some more."

Sakhr ibn Wadā‘ah al-Ghāmidi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, bless the early morning hours for my Ummah." Whenever the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent a detachment or an army, he would send them at the early morning time. Sakhr was a merchant, and he used to send his merchandise at the early morning time, so he became rich and his wealth grew.