"Ubadah bin As-Samit and Muawiyah met at a stopping place on the road. 'Ubadah told them: 'The Messenger of Allah forbade selling gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates"'- one of them said: 'salt for salt,"' but the other did not say it-"unless it was like for like, hand to hand. And he commanded us to sell gold for silver and silver for gold, and wheat for barley and barley for wheat, and to hand, however we wanted."' And one of them said: "Whoever gives more or ask for more has engaged in Riba."'
The Prohibition of Riba in Exchange Transactions
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 4560 establishes the foundational Islamic rulings regarding riba al-fadl (the riba of excess) in specific commodities known as "ribawi items." The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly prohibited the exchange of these six commodities unless two conditions are met: equal quantity (like for like) and immediate exchange (hand to hand).
Classification of Ribawi Commodities
The hadith identifies six primary commodities: gold, silver, wheat, barley, dates, and salt. Classical scholars categorize these into two groups based on the underlying cause ('illah) of prohibition. Gold and silver share the 'illah of being monetary standards (thaman), while the four food items share the 'illah of being measurable foodstuffs (ta'am).
Scholars extended these rulings to analogous commodities through qiyas (legal analogy). Modern equivalents would include all currencies (sharing gold/silver's 'illah) and all staple foods sold by weight/measure (sharing the foodstuffs' 'illah).
Conditions for Permissible Exchange
When exchanging the same commodity (gold for gold), two strict conditions apply: 1) Tamathul (equality in weight/measure) - the quantities must be exactly equal; 2) Taqabud (immediate reciprocal possession) - both parties must take possession before separating.
When exchanging different commodities from the same category (gold for silver, wheat for barley), only taqabud (immediate exchange) is required, while tamathul is waived. This allows for differential pricing based on market value while preventing deferred payment riba.
The Grave Nature of Riba
The concluding warning "Whoever gives more or asks for more has engaged in Riba" emphasizes the absolute prohibition, regardless of which party initiates the excess. This strictness reflects the severe spiritual consequences of riba, which the Quran declares as war from Allah and His Messenger.
This prohibition aims to establish economic justice, prevent exploitation in essential commodities, and maintain the stability of monetary systems by ensuring fair exchanges without hidden interest disguised as trade.