The Book of Transactions - Sahih Muslim 1536a

Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade (or forbade us) the sale of fruits until they are ripe in a good condition.

Commentary on the Prohibition

This noble hadith establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic commercial law prohibiting the sale of fruits before they reach maturity and become clearly edible. The wisdom behind this prohibition is to prevent uncertainty (gharar) in transactions, which Islam strictly forbids.

Scholars explain that "ripe in a good condition" means the fruit has reached a state where its edible quality is apparent and it is free from significant defects that would render it unsuitable for consumption. This ensures both buyer and seller have clear knowledge of what is being transacted.

Legal Implications and Applications

The prohibition extends to all agricultural produce where the final outcome is uncertain at the time of contract. This includes grapes before they darken, dates before they redden or yellow, and grains before they harden.

Classical scholars derived from this hadith that any sale involving unknown outcomes or excessive uncertainty is invalid. This principle protects parties from potential disputes and ensures fairness in commercial exchanges, aligning with the Quranic injunction: "O you who believe, do not consume your property among yourselves unjustly, but let there be trade by mutual consent."

Exceptions and Modern Applications

Scholars permitted certain exceptions, such as 'araya (the sale of fresh dates on the tree for dry dates by measure) which the Prophet specifically allowed due to necessity and established custom.

In contemporary contexts, this ruling applies to forward contracts in agricultural commodities, ensuring that such transactions comply with Shariah principles by requiring clear specifications and minimizing uncertainty to protect all parties involved.