until it whitens and is safe from blight; he prohibited both the seller and the buyer.”

This ḥadith therefore indicates that it is forbidden to sell standing crops until their soundness is apparent—that is, until the grain whitens, hardens, and is secure from blight.

The reason for prohibiting the sale of fruit before the first signs of ripeness, and of crops before the grain has hardened, is that during this period they are usually exposed to pests and liable to perish. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made this clear when he said, “Tell me: if Allah were to withhold the fruit, how could any one of you lawfully take his brother’s wealth?” Concerning ears of grain he said, “until they whiten and are safe from blight.” Blight is the pest or disease that strikes the crop and ruins it. In this there is mercy for people, protection of their property, and prevention of disputes that might lead to enmity and hatred.

From this we understand the inviolability of a Muslim’s property. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Tell me: if Allah were to withhold the fruit, by what right would any one of you deem his brother’s wealth lawful?” This is a warning and deterrent to those who scheme to seize people’s money through various ruses. The ḥadith also urges the Muslim to safeguard his wealth and not squander it, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the purchaser to buy fruit before its soundness becomes manifest and the likelihood of safety prevails. If the fruit were to perish after he had paid for it, his money would be lost and difficult—or impossible—to recover from the seller.

The noble ḥadith further shows that the ruling is tied to what normally occurs: before the onset of ripeness, fruit is more likely to perish and may not be sold; after ripeness appears, safety is usually expected and the sale is therefore permitted.