(Note): Al-Bukhārī does not include the words, “even if he were . . .”; they occur in Muslim’s version.

(Another note): According to the majority, the expression “agreed upon” refers to al-Bukhārī and Muslim. In the terminology of al-Majd Ibn Taymiyyah in al-Muntaqā (5/24—Nayl al-Awtār), however, it refers to al-Bukhārī, Muslim, and Ahmad in the Musnad. I did not find it in Ahmad’s work.

(A third note): Ibn al-Athīr cited it in Jāmiʿ al-Usūl (347) with the wording, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a town-dweller from selling . . .,” and attributed it to al-Bukhārī and Muslim. In both collections, however, it appears with the wording given in the book, “We were forbidden,” in the passive voice.

330 — (He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A town-dweller must not sell on behalf of a desert-dweller. Leave the people to themselves, for Allah provides for some of them through others.” Muslim.) p. 248

Authentic. Muslim (5/6), Abū Dāwūd (3442), al-Nasāʾī (2/216), al-Tirmidhī (1/230), Ibn Mājah (2176), Ibn al-Jārūd (277—Indian edition), Ibn Abī Shaybah (8/209/1), al-Tahāwī (2/202), al-Tayālisī (1329), and Ahmad (3/307, 312, 386, 392) narrated it by way of Abū al-Zubayr, from Jābir, traced back to the Prophet, with this wording. Al-Tirmidhī said: “A sound, authentic hadith.” Abū al-Zubayr explicitly stated that he had heard it directly in the versions narrated by al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Abī Shaybah, and al-Tahāwī, as well as in one version narrated by Ahmad.

331 — (Ibn ʿAbbās was asked about the meaning of, “A town-dweller must not sell on behalf of a desert-dweller.” He replied: “He must not act as his broker.” Al-Bukhārī.) p. 249

Authentic. Al-Bukhārī (2/28), as well as Muslim (5/5), Abū Dāwūd (3439), al-Nasāʾī (2/216), and Ahmad (1/368), narrated that Ibn ʿAbbās said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not meet the incoming caravans before they reach the market, and a town-dweller must not sell on behalf of a desert-dweller.” I asked Ibn ʿAbbās: “What does his statement, ‘A town-dweller must not sell on behalf of a desert-dweller,’ mean?” He replied: “He must not act as his broker.”