disputes and safeguarding both parties from the quarrels that so often flare up because of their laxity in taking possession, the buyer’s failure to inspect and receive the goods in full, and the seller’s resulting release from liability. A Muslim should scrupulously observe this rule and put it into practice in all his dealings.

Many people today, however, take the matter lightly: they neglect proper possession and dispose of the merchandise before it is lawfully in their hands. In doing so they commit what the Messenger ﷺ forbade, and they end up embroiled in disputes and conflicts, or stricken with regret once the commodity’s true nature is revealed and they find themselves trapped. They can extricate themselves only through court proceedings and protracted contention. Such is the fate of anyone who disregards the command of the Messenger ﷺ: inevitable remorse and hardship.

Among the matters the Messenger ﷺ encouraged is that one of the two contracting parties grant the other an iqālah (release) by rescinding the sale when the latter regrets the transaction, no longer needs the item, or cannot pay the price. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever grants a Muslim an iqālah, Allah will grant him release from his stumbling on the Day of Resurrection.” An iqālah means undoing the contract so that each party takes back what was his, with no increase or shortfall. It is a right a Muslim owes his brother when the need arises; it exemplifies fair dealing and is required by the bonds of faith-based brotherhood.