and is unable to restore to those he has wronged what is rightfully theirs, he should give charity on their behalf equal to the amount he wrongfully took from them, so that he is discharged of that liability.

In negotiated sales, when buyers are familiar with the prices at which goods are generally purchased, other buyers should be charged the same prices as they are. Thus, the seller must not make a greater profit from a trusting buyer than from anyone else. Likewise, when someone in desperate need can find what he needs only with this seller, the seller should make the same profit from him as from someone who is not in such need. It is reported in the Sunan collections:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prohibited sales involving a person in desperate need.”

If the need concerns something indispensable—for example, if people desperately need the food or clothing he possesses—he must sell it to them only at the customary price, whether he agrees or not, and they must not pay him more than that. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

A man sold wheat for a deferred payment. When payment fell due, the debtor had nothing but wheat. May the seller accept wheat from him?

He replied:

Yes, he may accept wheat from him, and this is not usury according to