The statement of Imam Ahmad regarding the issue of reversing a buy-back sale (‘inah) that it contains a stratagem; what is it?
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The questioner : The statement of Imam Ahmad that... reversing the issue of ‘inah... there are two narrations, and the first is... he said... it is a stratagem. Where is the stratagem, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : The stratagem is that he takes dirhams in cash for less than the deferred dirhams.
The questioner : A person sold them for twenty, for example, and then bought them back for more on credit.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : He bought them for twenty-five.
The Shaykh : That is, his intention is not out of kindness to the man; he says, give me twenty-five on credit, but he used a stratagem.
The questioner : By reversing the issue... on the contrary.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is all a stratagem. Even this one can use a stratagem. If he sold for one hundred in cash and then bought it back for one hundred and twenty on credit, can he not use a stratagem?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Is the question finished? Very well.
The Shaykh : The stratagem is that he takes dirhams in cash for less than the deferred dirhams.
The questioner : A person sold them for twenty, for example, and then bought them back for more on credit.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : He bought them for twenty-five.
The Shaykh : That is, his intention is not out of kindness to the man; he says, give me twenty-five on credit, but he used a stratagem.
The questioner : By reversing the issue... on the contrary.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is all a stratagem. Even this one can use a stratagem. If he sold for one hundred in cash and then bought it back for one hundred and twenty on credit, can he not use a stratagem?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Is the question finished? Very well.