Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade the sale of fruits until they were clearly in good condition, he forbade it both to the seller and to the buyer.
The Prohibition of Selling Unripe Fruits
This hadith from Sahih Muslim establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic commercial law regarding the sale of agricultural produce, particularly fruits.
Scholarly Commentary
The prohibition applies when fruits have not reached a state of clear goodness (bayan), meaning they have not ripened sufficiently to indicate their final quality and freedom from defects.
This ruling protects both parties from gharar (excessive uncertainty) in transactions, as unripe fruits may spoil, fail to develop properly, or contain hidden defects unknown to either party.
The prohibition extends to both buyer and seller, emphasizing mutual responsibility in ensuring transactions are free from ambiguity and potential harm.
Legal Implications
Scholars determine "clear goodness" by customary practice - fruits must reach a stage where their final quality can be reasonably assessed.
This prohibition prevents disputes that arise from selling potentially defective or unripe goods, ensuring fairness in market transactions.
The ruling exemplifies Islam's comprehensive approach to economic justice, protecting the rights of all market participants.