Dates are to be paid for by dates, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, salt by salt, like for like, payment being made on the spot. He who made an addition or demanded an addition, in fact, dealt in usury except in case where their classes differ.
The Book of Musaqah
Sahih Muslim 1588 a
Hadith Text
"Dates are to be paid for by dates, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, salt by salt, like for like, payment being made on the spot. He who made an addition or demanded an addition, in fact, dealt in usury except in case where their classes differ."
Commentary on Riba al-Fadl
This noble hadith establishes the foundational principles governing the prohibition of riba (usury) in exchange transactions of homogeneous commodities. The Prophet ﷺ specified six items - dates, wheat, barley, salt, gold, and silver (as mentioned in other narrations) - that when traded for their own kind, must fulfill two conditions: equal measure and immediate exchange.
The wisdom behind this prohibition lies in preventing exploitation and ensuring justice in commercial transactions. When identical commodities are exchanged, any disparity in quantity or delay in payment constitutes riba al-fadl (the usury of excess) and riba al-nasi'ah (the usury of delay), both strictly forbidden in Islamic law.
Conditions for Valid Exchange
The scholars derived from this hadith that for ribawi items (those subject to usury rules), when exchanged for their own kind: 1) The quantities must be exactly equal, 2) The exchange must be hand-to-hand (on the spot), 3) No delay is permitted in either delivery.
The exception mentioned - "except in case where their classes differ" - refers to situations where the items, though from the same genus, are of different qualities or types. In such cases, the prohibition of excess does not apply, though the condition of immediate exchange remains.
Legal Implications
This ruling forms the basis of Islamic commercial jurisprudence regarding currency exchange and commodity trading. Gold for gold, silver for silver, and the specified food items must follow these strict guidelines to avoid falling into usury.
The hadith serves as a divine protection for the economic system, ensuring fairness and preventing the accumulation of wealth through exploitative means. It emphasizes that legitimate profit must come from actual trade and value addition, not from mere exchange of identical items with unequal terms.