703 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever rescinds a Muslim’s sale, Allah will rescue him from his stumble on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah; Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim declared it authentic. (1)

• Degree of authenticity
The hadith is sound.
Al-Talkhīs states: It was transmitted by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim, and authenticated through the chain of al-Aʿmash from Abu Salih from Abu Hurayrah.
Al-Qushayri said: It meets their criteria. It was also graded sound by Ibn Hazm, Ibn Hibban, al-Hakim—endorsed by al-Dhahabi—as well as by al-Mundhiri and Ibn Daqiq al-ʿId.

• Vocabulary
– “Aqāla musliman bayʿatahu”: From qāla–yaqīlu; to annul or rescind. In commercial law, iqālah (rescission) is the annulment of a sale and the removal of the contract between the two parties.
– “ʿAthratahu”: With an open ʿayn and a quiescent thāʾ, then rāʾ and tāʾ. From ʿathara–yaʿthuru, meaning to slip or stumble. Here it signifies that Allah forgives his lapse or sin.

• Points derived from the hadith
1 – Sharh al-Iqnaʿ states: Iqālah is a rescission of the contract; it is merely a removal and dissolution, not a new sale.
2 – It is recommended for the remorseful buyer or seller, based on the Prophet’s words in this hadith: “Whoever rescinds a Muslim’s sale…”