Once Bilal brought Barni (i.e. a kind of dates) to the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, "From where have you brought these?" Bilal replied, "I had some inferior type of dates and exchanged two Sas of it for one Sa of Barni dates in order to give it to the Prophet; to eat." Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Beware! Beware! This is definitely Riba (usury)! This is definitely Riba (Usury)! Don't do so, but if you want to buy (a superior kind of dates) sell the inferior dates for money and then buy the superior kind of dates with that money."
Representation, Authorization, Business by Proxy
Sahih al-Bukhari 2312
Contextual Background
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari presents a fundamental lesson in Islamic commercial jurisprudence. Bilal ibn Rabah, the noble Companion and caller to prayer, sought to honor the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by acquiring superior quality dates (Barni) through exchange.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's immediate repetition of "Beware! This is definitely Riba!" emphasizes the gravity of the transaction. Classical scholars explain this falls under Riba al-Fadl - excess in exchange of similar commodities.
Islamic jurists derive that when exchanging identical commodities (dates for dates), three conditions must be met: 1) Equal measure, 2) Immediate exchange, and 3) Same type. Bilal's transaction violated the first condition by exchanging two measures for one.
The Prophet's alternative method - selling inferior dates for currency then purchasing superior dates - introduces the concept of using money as a medium to avoid direct riba. This demonstrates Islam's practical approach to lawful commerce.
Legal Principles Derived
This hadith establishes that riba isn't limited to loans with interest but includes certain barter transactions. The six commodities specified in prophetic traditions (gold, silver, wheat, barley, dates, salt) when exchanged for their same kind require strict equivalence and immediate transfer.
Scholars extend this ruling to modern equivalents, emphasizing that similar commodities must be exchanged equally and immediately to prevent exploitation and maintain economic justice in society.