Book of Invalid Sales

Section

On the classification of sales according to validity and invalidity: sales fall into three categories—permissible, prohibited, and disliked. Permissible sales are those that Islamic law has not forbidden and concerning which no prohibition has been reported. We say this because Allah Most High has permitted His servants to trade, granting them unrestricted permission and making it generally lawful in numerous verses of His Book. Among these are His words:

“Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.” [al-Baqarah: 275]

And His words:

“O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade.” [al-Jumu'ah: 9]

Then He, Most High, says:

“When the prayer is concluded, disperse throughout the land and seek Allah’s bounty.” [al-Jumu'ah: 10]

This means engaging in commerce through buying and selling. The word “trade” is a general expression, because a singular noun, when preceded by the definite article, becomes an expression of general scope. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“By time,” [al-'Asr: 1] “indeed, mankind is in loss,” [al-'Asr: 2] “except those who believe and do righteous deeds.” [al-'Asr: 3]

He thus excepts the community of believers from “mankind,” because that word has general scope. When a general expression occurs, it is understood in its full generality unless something restricts its scope. If something is excluded from it, whatever remains after that exclusion likewise retains its general scope. Thus, there falls within the scope of His statement