Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost."
Exposition of the Hadith on Sales Transactions
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2079) in the Book of Sales and Trade establishes fundamental principles governing commercial transactions in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) outlines the rights, responsibilities, and spiritual dimensions of buying and selling.
The Option of Session (Khiyar al-Majlis)
The statement "as long as they have not parted or till they part" refers to the Islamic legal concept of Khiyar al-Majlis (option of session). This grants both buyer and seller the right to rescind the transaction while they remain together at the place of sale.
This provision prevents hasty decisions and allows reflection before commitment. The physical separation signifies final acceptance of terms. Scholars differ on what constitutes "parting"—whether physical departure or conclusion of discussion—but agree this option protects both parties from regret.
The Imperative of Truthfulness
The condition "if both parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities" establishes honesty as the foundation of Islamic commerce. The seller must disclose all known defects, while the buyer should not conceal relevant information affecting value.
Concealment (ghish) constitutes fraud, which the Prophet strongly condemned. Full disclosure creates transparency and builds trust, transforming mundane trade into worship when performed with righteous intention.
The Spiritual Dimension of Transactions
The reference to "blessings" (barakah) introduces the metaphysical aspect of commerce. Truthful transactions attract divine blessings—manifest as prosperity, contentment, and benefit in the wealth.
Conversely, deception causes the blessings to be "lost"—wealth may increase quantitatively but bring no real benefit, causing anxiety, dissatisfaction, or unexpected losses. This spiritual consequence serves as deterrent against dishonesty.
Practical Implementation
Muslim merchants must thoroughly describe merchandise, highlighting flaws alongside virtues. Buyers should ask pertinent questions rather than remain willfully ignorant.
Contemporary applications include: clear product descriptions in online sales, honest business representations, transparent financial disclosures, and avoiding misleading advertising—all falling under this hadith's comprehensive guidance.