As for the situation under discussion: if they have been required to sell, they may not be compelled to sell below the fair market price, for that would wrong them. If others have been prevented from selling, these sellers may not be allowed to charge whatever they choose, for that would wrong the public.
One question remains: may they undertake such an arrangement on these terms—that they alone sell this category of goods, to the exclusion of others, and sell only at the fair market price, without any levy being imposed on them? May the ruler subject them to such an arrangement, or must he prevent anyone from doing so?
The answer is as follows: if they voluntarily undertake to supply the goods people need and to sell them only at the fair market price, on condition that others are prevented from selling, while anyone wishing to join them in this arrangement is allowed to do so, then it is not evident that this is prohibited. Indeed, it may serve the public interest. This resembles what has been reported from ʿUmar concerning price-fixing, namely that he said: “If you sell at the prices charged by the market traders, well and good; otherwise, do not sell.”
The public interest here lies in ensuring that people are supplied with what they need and that it is sold to them only at the fair market price. These are two considerable benefits. If the sellers choose this arrangement, they have not been coerced into it and therefore suffer no injustice. Other people have not been prevented from selling except when they participate in this