The Ruling on Selling Old Coins for High Amounts
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Honorable Shaykh, advertisements have appeared in some newspapers for the sale of certain old coins for exorbitant amounts. For example, a Saudi silver riyal minted forty years ago is now being sold for fifty thousand riyals. Is this permissible, or is it a form of riba (usury or interest)?
Answer:
This is delving into the wealth of Allah, about which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that people will come whoSahih al-Bukhari 3118. This is delving into the wealth of Allah without right. Buying these old coins at such exorbitant prices is unnecessary and not permissible. One must not be extravagant with wealth. What is the result or benefit of this? And if these coins are gold or silver, it is not permissible to exchange them with an excess; equality is required.
Honorable Shaykh, advertisements have appeared in some newspapers for the sale of certain old coins for exorbitant amounts. For example, a Saudi silver riyal minted forty years ago is now being sold for fifty thousand riyals. Is this permissible, or is it a form of riba (usury or interest)?
Answer:
This is delving into the wealth of Allah, about which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that people will come who
spend Allah's Wealth (i.e. Muslim's wealth) in an unjust manner; such people will be put in the (Hell) Fire on the Day of Resurrection.
يَتَخَوَّضُونَ فِي مَالِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ فَلَهُمُ النَّارُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
Source
شرح بلوغ المرام من أدلة الأحكام [ صالح الفوزان ]، تتمة باب الربا — islamhouse.com (28:26)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.