Intermediate
Special Topics
Surah: Al-Baqarah (275)
Conditions for a Valid Sale — Contract Validity in Islamic Law
وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡبَيۡعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰاْ
— البقرة الآية 275
Verse: "Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury." (2:275)
"Permitted trade": General permissibility of commerce — encompassing every sale meeting its conditions.
Conditions for valid sale: Mutual consent; known subject and price; ability to deliver; lawfulness of the item; offer and acceptance.
Forbidden sales: Riba, gharar (uncertain transactions), fraud, selling what one doesn't own without guarantee, selling wine or carrion.
Lesson: Islamic economics is built on mutual consent and justice — not exploitation.
"Permitted trade": General permissibility of commerce — encompassing every sale meeting its conditions.
Conditions for valid sale: Mutual consent; known subject and price; ability to deliver; lawfulness of the item; offer and acceptance.
Forbidden sales: Riba, gharar (uncertain transactions), fraud, selling what one doesn't own without guarantee, selling wine or carrion.
Lesson: Islamic economics is built on mutual consent and justice — not exploitation.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (3/345); Ibn Al-Arabi (1/247); Ibn Qudama (4/1)
Test Yourself
What is the key difference between permissible trade and forbidden riba?
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