a protected non-Muslim subject is forbidden and impermissible, for his life, honour, and property are inviolable. The Prophet’s limiting this to one’s brother is either based on what is generally the case, or intended to encourage compassion towards one’s brother and refraining from harming him. This view is closer to justice.

His statement, “Such as saying to one who has bought an item for ten: ‘I will give you the like of it for nine’”: this is selling over another’s sale.

For example, Zayd buys a car from ‘Amr for ten thousand, then someone goes to Zayd and says: “I will give you the like of it for nine,” or, “I will give you a better one for ten.” This is selling over a Muslim’s sale and is not permissible.

But if he says, “I will give you the like of it for ten,” is this selling over a Muslim’s sale?

The apparent meaning of the author’s words is that it is not, because he has not offered him any increase in quantity or quality. However, it may be said that it is selling over a Muslim’s sale, due to the general wording of the hadith and because this buyer may abandon the first sale, since the other person may be a relative, a friend, someone inclined to favour him, or the like.

The correct view is that the ruling is general: whether he offers him an increase in quantity or quality, or offers him no increase at all—even if the price is the same.

His statement, “And purchasing over another’s purchase, such as saying to one who has sold an item for nine: ‘I will give you ten for it,’ so that he may rescind [the sale]”: this is purchasing over another’s purchase.

For example, Zayd sells an item to ‘Amr for nine. Then another person comes and says