That the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Gold for gold, kind for kind; silver for silver, kind for kind; dried-dates for dried-dates, kind for kind; wheat for wheat, kind for kind; salt for salt, kind for kind; and barley for barley, kind for kind. Whoever increases or seeks an increase, then he dealt with Riba. Sell gold for silver as you wish, hand to hand; and sell wheat for dried-dates as you wish, hand to hand; and sell barley for dried-dates as you wish, hand to hand."
[He said:] There are narrations on this topic from Abu Sa'eed, Abu Hurairah, Bilal, And Anas.
[Abu 'Eisa said:] The Hadith of 'Ubadah bin As-Samit is Hasan Sahih. Some of them reported this Hadith from Khalid, with this chain, and he said: "Sell wheat for barley as you wish, hand to hand."
Some of them reported this Hadith from Khalid, from Abu Qilabah, from Ash'ath, from 'Ubadah from the Prophet (ﷺ). In that Hadith, they added that Khalid said: "Abu Qilabah said: "Sell wheat for barley as you wish, hand to hand."
This Hadith is acted upon according to the people of knowledge, they do not think that one may sell wheat for wheat except when it is the same kind for the same kind, and (the same for) barely in exchange for barley, kind for kind. When the items are themselves different, then there is no harm in one being more than the other if it is hand to hand. This is saying of most of the people of knowledge among the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) and others. It is the view of Sufyan Ath-Thawri, Ash-Shafi'i, Ahmad, and Ishaq. Ash-Shafi'i said: "And the proof for that is the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ): 'Sell barley for wheat as you wish, hand to hand.'"
[Abu 'Eisa said:] Some of the people of knowledge considered it disliked that wheat be sold for barely unless it was kind for kind. This is the view of Malik bin Anas, but the first view is more correct.
The Book on Business
Jami' at-Tirmidhi - Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1240
Hadith Text
That the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Gold for gold, kind for kind; silver for silver, kind for kind; dried-dates for dried-dates, kind for kind; wheat for wheat, kind for kind; salt for salt, kind for kind; and barley for barley, kind for kind. Whoever increases or seeks an increase, then he dealt with Riba. Sell gold for silver as you wish, hand to hand; and sell wheat for dried-dates as you wish, hand to hand; and sell barley for dried-dates as you wish, hand to hand."
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the fundamental principles of Riba al-Fadl (excess interest) in exchange transactions. The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited the exchange of six specified commodities - gold, silver, dates, wheat, salt, and barley - when they are of the same kind, unless it is equal for equal and hand to hand.
The wisdom behind this prohibition is to prevent hidden usury and exploitation in trade. When exchanging different kinds of these commodities (such as gold for silver or wheat for dates), the parties may exchange unequal quantities as they wish, provided the transaction is completed immediately (hand to hand).
Legal Rulings
The majority of scholars from the Companions and subsequent generations, including Sufyan al-Thawri, al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, and Ishaq, hold that when exchanging different kinds of these commodities, unequal exchange is permitted provided it is hand to hand. This is based on the Prophet's explicit permission: "Sell barley for wheat as you wish, hand to hand."
Imam Malik held a dissenting view, considering it disliked to exchange wheat for barley unless it was equal for equal. However, Abu 'Eisa (al-Tirmidhi) notes that the first opinion is more correct according to the evidence.
Practical Application
This ruling applies to modern financial transactions involving currency exchange, commodity trading, and barter systems. The principles ensure fairness and prevent exploitation by requiring immediate exchange and prohibiting excess when dealing with similar commodities.