The Book of Financial Transactions

Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say in Mecca, in the year of the Conquest, “Allah and His Messenger have forbidden the sale of wine, carrion, pigs, and idols.” Someone asked about the fat of dead animals, since it was used to caulk ships, grease hides, and fuel lamps. He replied that it was forbidden. The Messenger of Allah then said, “May Allah condemn the Jews: when Allah forbade them the fat, they melted it down, sold it, and consumed its price.”

Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah forbade charging a fee for stallion mating, selling water, and selling land for cultivation—when a man sells his land together with its water.

Ibn ʿUmar reported that the Messenger of Allah forbade charging a fee for stallion mating.

Anas ibn Malik reported that a man from Banu al-Saʿq, one of Banu Kilab, came to the Messenger of Allah and asked about charging a fee for stallion mating. The Prophet forbade it, but the man said that they were customarily paid for it.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah forbade earnings from cupping, payment for a dog, and fees for stallion mating.

Abu Saʿid al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah forbade fees for stallion mating.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah forbade payment for a dog and fees for stallion mating.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “If someone becomes bankrupt and a seller finds the exact goods he sold among the possessions of the bankrupt person, the seller has more right to them than anyone else.”

Abu Hurayrah reported from the Prophet that if a man becomes insolvent and the exact item sold to him is found and recognized among his possessions, it belongs to the person who sold it to him.

Abu Saʿid al-Khudri reported that during the time of the Messenger of Allah, a man suffered a loss on fruit he had bought and became heavily indebted. The Messenger of Allah asked people to give him charity. They did so, but it was not enough to repay his debts. The Messenger of Allah then told the creditors to take what they found, saying they had no claim beyond that.

Usayd ibn Hudayr ibn Simak reported that the Messenger of Allah ruled that if someone found his goods in the possession of a person who was not suspected of wrongdoing, he could either take them back at the price that person had paid or pursue the thief. Abu Bakr and ʿUmar issued the same ruling.

Usayd ibn Hudayr al-Ansari, from Banu Harithah, reported that while he was an official in al-Yamamah, Marwan wrote that Muʿawiyah had instructed him that anyone whose property was stolen had the greater right to it wherever he found it. Usayd wrote back that the Prophet had ruled: if the buyer of stolen property was not suspected of wrongdoing, the owner could either take the property from the buyer by paying the price the buyer had paid, or pursue the thief. Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthman had ruled likewise. Marwan forwarded the letter to Muʿawiyah, who replied that neither Marwan nor Usayd had authority to rule over him and ordered Marwan to carry out his instruction. Marwan sent this reply to Usayd, who said he would not rule according to the opinion of Muʿawiyah while he remained in office.

Samurah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “A person has the greater right to his own property when he finds it, and the buyer should pursue the person who sold it to him.”

Samurah reported that the Messenger of Allah said that if a woman is married off by two guardians, the marriage to the first takes precedence. If a man sells an item to two people, it belongs to the first buyer.

Ibrahim ibn ʿAbdullah ibn Abi Rabiʿah reported from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet borrowed forty thousand from him. When wealth came to the Prophet, he repaid him and prayed that Allah bless his family and property, saying that the return for a loan is praise and repayment.

Muhammad ibn Jahsh reported that while they were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, he raised his head toward the sky, placed his palm on his forehead, and exclaimed that a severe warning had been revealed. They fell silent and were alarmed. The next day Muhammad asked what the warning was. The Prophet swore by the One in whose hand is his soul that even a man killed in the cause of Allah and repeatedly brought back to life and killed again, while still owing a debt, would not enter Paradise until the debt was paid.

Samurah reported that they were with the Prophet at a funeral. The Prophet called out three times asking whether anyone from a certain tribe was present. A man then stood up. The Prophet asked why he had not answered the first two times and assured him he intended no harm: a man from their group had died while burdened by debt.

ʿImran ibn Hudhayfah reported that Maymunah often borrowed money. Her family criticized and blamed her, but she said she would not stop borrowing, for she had heard her close companion state that if anyone takes on a debt intending to repay it, Allah will repay it for him in this world.

ʿUbaydullah ibn ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUtbah reported that Maymunah, wife of the Prophet, took a loan. She was asked why she borrowed when she had no means to repay. She replied that she had heard the Messenger of Allah say that whoever takes a debt intending to repay it, Allah will help him.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said, “If one of you is referred to a solvent person for repayment, he should accept the referral. Deliberate delay in repayment by a wealthy person is wrongdoing.”