Seventhly, amongst the matters that Islam imposed on the buyer is that he is not to conceal defects nor hide a flaw; rather, he has to disclose defects and display commodity as it is, acing according to the Saheeh (authentic) Hadeeth in which the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: “…If they are honest and disclose any defects, their transaction will be blessed, but if they lie and conceal defects the blessing will be erased.”

Disclosing the defects and flaws of the commodity makes the buyer have trust in any other commodity to buy it from such seller and increase dealings with him and thus the transaction will be blessed.

Eighthly, amongst the matters that the seller and buyer should understand is that deception in buying and selling is something prohibited. Deception in transactions is to make the sold item appears in its unreal condition. This way prevailed in some transactions during the pre-Islamic era. Then, Islam came warning from such deception in particular and warning those who do so with a severe punishment. Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported that Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, passed by a pile of food in the market and put his hand into it, and his fingers touched something wet. He, peace and blessing be upon him, said, “What is this, O seller of the food?” The man said, “It got rained on, O Messenger of Allaah.” He, peace and blessing be upon him, said, “Why did you not put it (the wet part) on top of the pile so that the people could see it?” And then added: “He who deceives does not belong to me”.

In another variant narration reported by Abu Daawood: “He is not one of us who deceives us.”

Imam Ahmad and Ibn Maajah, may Allaah have mercy upon them, reported in a Hasan Sanad (i.e. chain of transmission) that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: “The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and it is not permissible for a Muslim to sell his brother goods in which there is a defect, without pointing that out to him.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari as Mu‘allaq (i.e. suspended) Hadeeth].

Ninthly, process of selling and buying, taking and giving may lead to improving the commodity for the buyer and thus one of them may hasten to take solemn oaths to describe such commodity. Such oaths may be false. Therefore, the wise Lawgiver prohibited taking many oaths, not to mention, false oaths. Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, and others reported Abu Qataadah Al-Ansaari Al-Sulami, who said that he heard the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, say: “Beware of swearing too much when selling, for it sells (the product) then it erases (the blessing)”.

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that I heard the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, saying: “The swearing (by the seller) may persuade the buyer to purchase the goods but that will be deprived of gain.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] and in another narration: “…that will be deprived of Allaah's blessing”.

 It was also reported by Al-Bukhaari, may Allaah have mercy upon him, and others a Marfoo‘ (traceable) Hadeeth from Hakeem ibn Hizaam, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said, “…and if they speak the truth and mention the defects, then their bargain will be blessed, and if they tell lies and conceal the defects, they might gain some financial gain but they will deprive their sale of (Allaah's) blessings”.

Allaah The Almighty threatens those who sell their commodities using false oaths and sell them for small price from the worldly life with severe punishment. It was narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: “There are three persons whom Allaah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection..” and mentioned that they include: “And man displayed his goods for sale after the ‘Asr prayer and he said, 'By Allaah, except Whom None has the right to be worshipped, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them)”.

Tenthly, amongst the guidelines of commercial transactions in Islam is prohibiting hoarding which is to hoard the commodity that people need so that its price may get up. It is something prohibited in Islam for it causes oppression and harm to people. Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: “No one hoards but one who is in error”.

Muslim scholars have stated that all forms of hoarding are prohibited, whether it is occurred from an individual who is greedy or covetousness or a group of traders who used to do so or others.

Eleventh, amongst the matters that Islam have commanded and encouraged and made stern warnings regarding transgressing it is giving full measure and weight i.e. the buyer should be given his full measure and weight and whoever deprives him anything will be a Mutafif [one who give less in measure and weight (decrease the rights of others)]. Actually, there is absolutely no doubt that whoever has such attribute is covetous, greedy and has weak faith in Allaah The Almighty and in the punishment and reckoning that Allaah The Almighty has prepared. Therefore, Allaah The Almighty threatened Al-Mutaffifin [those who give less in measure and weight (decrease the rights of others)], with Wayl (i.e. a valley in Hellfire according to some scholars), destruction, and loss saying (what means): {Woe to those who give less [than due], Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. Do they not think that they will be resurrected for a tremendous Day - The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds?} [Quran 1: 6].

Rather, Allaah The Almighty destroyed a whole nation due to this great sin. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu‘ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allaah; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day. And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.} [Quran 11: 84- 85].

There is absolutely no doubt that the one who has real and confirmed belief in Allaah The Almighty and adheres firmly to His religion never think to deprive people their rights.

We ask Allaah The Almighty to provide us a good understanding in His religion and following the footsteps of His Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, for surely He is All-Hearing and Ever Responsive.   

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