Is pledging property (Rahn) permissible while residing in a settlement (Hadar)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Pledges (Collateral)

Book 13 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Pledging property is permissible in settled areas (Hadar) just as it is permissible during travel (Safar). This is supported by the Prophet Muhammad's action when he purchased food from a Jew and pledged his armor while both parties were in Medina, which is a settled area. Furthermore, because pledging is a valid security measure permissible during travel, it is also valid in settled areas, analogous to a guarantee (Daman).

Supporting text

Mujahid is the sole known opponent to this ruling, asserting that pledging is exclusively valid during travel. He bases this on the interpretation that Allah made travel a prerequisite for pledging by stating in the Quran: "And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand is taken" (Quran 2:283).