Is the sale of goods by measure (kail) or weight (wazn) restricted to 'like for like' exchange regarding usury (riba)?

Chapter on Riba (Usury) and Exchange (Sarf)

Al-Mughni

Book of Sales

Book 12 · Issue 1 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Any commodity whose nature is measured by volume (kail) or weight (wazn) is subject to the prohibition of unequal exchange, even if exact measurement is impractical due to extreme smallness (like a seed or a handful) or largeness (like a massive lump). The exchange must be like for like, and disparity is forbidden. This is the position held by Al-Thawri, Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The evidence for this is the Prophet's saying: "Dates for dates like for like, and wheat for wheat like for like; whoever increases or is increased has engaged in usury." Furthermore, what is subject to usury in large quantities is also subject to it in small quantities, analogous to weighed items.

Supporting text

Abu Hanifa permitted the exchange of a handful for two handfuls, or a seed for two seeds, and all measured items where precise measurement is impractical. He agreed regarding weighed items. His evidence is that the operative cause (illah) is measurement by volume, which is absent in very small amounts.