him a suftaja—that is, a written document—addressed to the town where the borrower’s dirhams are held. This is permissible according to the sounder of the two scholarly opinions.

It has also been said that this is prohibited because it is a loan yielding a benefit, and a loan yielding a benefit constitutes riba. The correct view, however, is that it is permissible, because the borrower sees a benefit in avoiding the hazards of the journey involved in transporting his dirhams to the town where the borrower’s dirhams are held. Thus, both parties benefit from this loan. The Lawgiver does not prohibit what benefits people, promotes their welfare and meets their needs. Rather, He prohibits what harms and corrupts them, and for which Allah has provided them with sufficient alternatives. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

Is it permissible for someone to purchase copper coins at fourteen qirtās to the dirham and exchange them at thirteen to the dirham?

He replied:

If he exchanges them for people at the prevailing rate, that is permissible, even if he purchased them cheaply. As for someone who has sold an item for dirhams, he is not obliged to accept copper coins in payment of any part of the price unless he chooses to do so. Likewise, someone who has purchased it for dirhams must pay the full amount in dirhams. If both parties agree to settle the price, or part of it, in copper coins at the prevailing exchange rate, that is permissible. And Allah knows best.