Is the sale of crops before the ripening of their fruit permissible?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
The prohibition by the Messenger of Allah upon *al-Muhāqalah* and *al-Mukhāḍarah* is established. *Al-Mukhāḍarah* is defined as selling green crops or fruits before they show signs of ripening, provided there is no condition for immediate harvesting. Evidence for this prohibition is derived from the narration of Anas, reported by Al-Bukhari, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, prohibited these types of sales along with *al-Milāmasah* and *al-Munābadhah*.
Supporting text
The text provides varying interpretations for *al-Muhāqalah*: Jābir interpreted it as selling a standing crop for a measure of wheat. Al-Azhari defined *al-Haql* (the root word) as cultivated land, and *al-Hawaqil* as cultivated fields. Abu Sa'id interpreted *al-Muhāqalah* as renting land in exchange for wheat.