prices charged to them, without causing them any harm.

They said:
“People are not compelled to sell; they are merely prevented from selling at any price other than that set by the ruler, according to what he considers beneficial to both seller and buyer. The seller is neither denied a profit nor permitted a profit that harms people.”

The majority, however, cited the previously mentioned hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It was also narrated by Abū Dāwūd and others through al-‘Alā’ ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmān, from his father, from Abū Hurayra, who said:

“A man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, fix prices for us.’ He replied, ‘Rather, pray to Allah.’ Then another man came and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, fix prices for us.’ He replied, ‘Rather, Allah raises and lowers prices, and I certainly hope to meet Allah with no one having a claim against me for any injustice.’”

They said:
“Furthermore, compelling people to make a sale they are not obliged to make, or preventing them from doing what is lawful under Islamic law, is an injustice to them, and injustice is forbidden.”

As for how price regulation should be carried out according to those who permit it, Ibn Habīb said:
“The ruler should assemble the leading traders in the commodity concerned, with others present as a check on their truthfulness. He should ask them, ‘How do you buy, and how do you sell?’ He should then negotiate with them towards an arrangement that serves both their interests and those of the public, until they agree. Price regulation must not be imposed upon them by force, but by their consent.”

He said:
“It was on this basis that those who permitted it did so.”

Abū al-Walīd said:
“The rationale is that this makes it possible to ascertain the interests of sellers and buyers, and to allow sellers, in