What is the maximum quantity allowed for a single transaction involving the sale of 'Araya (unripe fruit exchanged for dried dates)?

Chapter on Riba (Usury) and Exchange (Sarf)

Al-Mughni

Book of Sales

Book 12 · Issue 1 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is impermissible to purchase more than five *wasq* in a single transaction of 'Araya, regardless of whether the purchase is made from a single person or a group of people. This ruling is based on the general prohibition of *Muzabana* (selling fresh fruit for dried fruit by estimate), from which the 'Araya transaction is excepted only up to five *wasq*. Anything exceeding this limit remains under the general prohibition. The exception is limited because what is impermissible in a single contract, when one type of transaction, is impermissible across multiple contracts, similar to other invalid transactions. The evidence restricting this exception suggests that the permission regarding the date palm is limited to one or two palms, inferring prohibition beyond that limit, similar to the ruling in a single contract.

Supporting text

Al-Shafi'i permits a person to sell all the fruit of their orchard as 'Araya to one person or multiple people through repeated contracts, citing the generality of the Hadith of Zayd and Sahl, and the principle that any contract valid once can be repeated, like other sales.