Shaykh, if you would permit me, by Allah, you mentioned the saying of al-Hasan al-Basri when the seller said to him, "This is for the people at such a price, and this is for you at such a price," and he said:

The questioner: Shaykh, if you would permit me, by Allah, you mentioned to the brother Mahmoud the saying of al-Hasan al-Basri when the seller said to him, "This is for the people at such a price, and this is for you at such a price," and he said: "Or have they already done it?" And you directed this context of disapproval toward the brother Mahmoud as well. So the brother Mahmoud, meaning, has a problem, as does everyone approximately, because the seller is free with his merchandise; he may profit, he may sell it at cost, he may sell it cheaper or at a loss. He is free with his merchandise. So how is the saying of al-Hasan al-Basri, "Or have they already done it!!," to be understood?

The Shaykh: I did not understand what al-Hasan al-Basri said?

The questioner: When the seller said to him.

The Shaykh: No, no, do not repeat it.

The questioner: "Or have they already done it?" It was you who...

The Shaykh: May Allah guide you.

The questioner: Yes.

Another questioner : He is asking you.

The Shaykh: I am asking you.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: I am asking you, tell me what he said.

The questioner: Excuse me!

The Shaykh: You did not understand why al-Hasan al-Basri said what he said?!

The questioner : We understood.

The Shaykh : What is it?

The questioner: That he differentiated between people in the sale.

The Shaykh: He differentiated between people, may Allah guide you.

The questioner: Or he differentiated between himself and the people.

The Shaykh: May Allah guide you.

The questioner: Amen.

The Shaykh: One time, we will convey to you any answer that forces the questioner to repeat the question in another manner; this will be an incomplete answer.

The questioner : Oh, wonderful!

The Shaykh: So now, what is your answer? Repeat it. Is it a difference? It is not like that?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: Okay, I do not know if he differentiated? The question returns now in another way: Why did he differentiate? May Allah guide you, why did he differentiate? We did not tell you why he differentiated?!

The questioner: No, you did not mention, your presence.

The Shaykh: May Allah guide you, I am asking you a question, may Allah guide you. Did he differentiate because he is free or not?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh: Why did you say that? You say that Muhammad or Mahmoud, or the problem is with all people as I said, that he is free. You say that no, he did not differentiate because he is free. So the previous question returns: Why, why did he differentiate?

The questioner: For his person or his status?

The Shaykh: Okay, we did not tell you, may Allah guide you, that the differentiation was because he is a scholar and he wants to honor the scholar? And he does not want to exploit his knowledge for material gain? But you are a people, and that is enough!!

The questioner: May Allah bless you, may Allah reward you with good.

Another questioner: And when we saw your reverence for your student, meaning.

The Shaykh : Excuse me, may Allah bless you.

The questioner: It increased us.

The Shaykh: May Allah reward you with good for this, I did not know who was the later one.

The questioner : No, Shaykh.

The questioner : Allah is the Greatest...

Another questioner: But, glory be to Allah, O our Shaykh, praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The Shaykh: May Allah bless you with your supplications; we are provided for.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.

Another questioner : May Allah preserve you.