Collusion among merchants to raise prices and selling dates for dates
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
All right.
Another questioner:
His observations on the dispute, yes.
The questioner:
In the market now, when one brings his goods, they collude to say that they will not increase [the price] beyond what they are as partners. One increases, and they are colluding with him, saying that this partner is now working in selling fresh dates and others. The farmer brings his loads, and then they come and work together, they gather, and one increases, saying, "We are partners; we are increasing over you."
The Shaykh:
By Allah, if we leave it, it is not permissible. Because this involves striking the owners of goods, striking them without right, and the collusion of the buyers in this is a multiplier. It is widespread now. This injustice is due to a lack of concern. Selling dates for dates. For example, one sa' for two, three, four, and so on, equally, even if one is better than the other.
The questioner:
No one buys dates for dates; no one buys dates for dates.
The Shaykh:
No, it may happen, it may happen, but only riba (usury or interest) prevents it, meaning riba prevents it, because the dates may not be equal. If he takes one sa' for one sa', this one may be better than that one. It does not happen; people do not do it. Therefore, it is rare for it to occur, because it is rare for them to be identical. Therefore, the good is bought with money, and the bad is bought with money, because they are not usually identical. This one may be better than that one. But if they are identical, there is no benefit in the sale; there is no benefit.
All right.
Another questioner:
His observations on the dispute, yes.
The questioner:
In the market now, when one brings his goods, they collude to say that they will not increase [the price] beyond what they are as partners. One increases, and they are colluding with him, saying that this partner is now working in selling fresh dates and others. The farmer brings his loads, and then they come and work together, they gather, and one increases, saying, "We are partners; we are increasing over you."
The Shaykh:
By Allah, if we leave it, it is not permissible. Because this involves striking the owners of goods, striking them without right, and the collusion of the buyers in this is a multiplier. It is widespread now. This injustice is due to a lack of concern. Selling dates for dates. For example, one sa' for two, three, four, and so on, equally, even if one is better than the other.
The questioner:
No one buys dates for dates; no one buys dates for dates.
The Shaykh:
No, it may happen, it may happen, but only riba (usury or interest) prevents it, meaning riba prevents it, because the dates may not be equal. If he takes one sa' for one sa', this one may be better than that one. It does not happen; people do not do it. Therefore, it is rare for it to occur, because it is rare for them to be identical. Therefore, the good is bought with money, and the bad is bought with money, because they are not usually identical. This one may be better than that one. But if they are identical, there is no benefit in the sale; there is no benefit.
Source
شرح بلوغ المرام [ ابن باز ] [ الشرح القديم ]، تابع باب شروطه وما نهي عنه منه — islamhouse.com (51:07)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.