Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The buyer and the seller have the option of canceling or confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, them they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah's blessings."

Source Reference

Book: Sales and Trade

Author: Sahih al-Bukhari

Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 2110

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith establishes two fundamental principles of Islamic commercial law. First is the institution of Khiyar al-Majlis (option of session), wherein both parties retain the right to rescind the transaction as long as they remain together in the meeting place. This provides protection against hasty decisions and ensures mutual consent.

The second principle concerns the spiritual dimension of trade. Truthfulness in disclosing defects and transparency in commercial dealings attract divine blessings (barakah) in one's wealth and transactions. Conversely, deception and concealment of faults result in the removal of Allah's blessings, even if the transaction appears successful outwardly.

Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explain that separation refers to physical departure from the place of transaction or conclusive action indicating finality. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani emphasizes that this option exists regardless of whether the price has been settled, protecting both parties from regret.

The spiritual warning serves as a powerful deterrent against commercial fraud, reminding believers that material gain through deception is ultimately loss, while honest trade, even with apparent disadvantage, brings divine favor and true prosperity.