and in either case one consumes the other’s wealth unjustly. Worse still is selling him what is in an animal’s womb. Likewise, selling him fruit before it begins to ripen is a form of uncertainty in a sale. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prohibited such sales both generally and specifically. All of this constitutes gambling, which Allah has forbidden in the Quran.

The same applies to a pebble sale, such as saying:

“I have sold you a portion of this land extending as far as this pebble reaches,” or, “I have sold you whichever of these garments, sheep, slave boys, or other items this pebble lands upon.”

Thus, the quantity, identity, or description of the item sold is unknown.

As for “‘arāyā” sales, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made them an exception to his prohibition of muzābanah. He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prohibited both muzābanah and muhāqalah.

“Muzābanah” means buying fresh dates still on the trees in exchange for their estimated equivalent in dried dates. “Muhāqalah” means buying wheat still in its ears in exchange for its estimated equivalent in wheat. Khar s means estimation and appraisal.

Thus, someone asks, “How much is on this date palm?” The answer is, “Five wasqs,” whereupon he says, “I have bought it for five wasqs.” Or someone asks, “How much wheat is in this field?” The answer is, “Five wasqs,” whereupon he says, “I have bought it for five wasqs.”

This ruling applies generally to everything that may only be sold for an equivalent quantity, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Do not sell gold for gold except in equal quantities, and do not sell