Q 18: What is the ruling on receiving sellers on the street before they enter the market and buying their goods?

A: It is Haram (prohibited) to receive sellers in the streets before they reach the places prepared for displaying and selling goods, for this takes the same ruling of receiving trade caravans, and this is forbidden. It is mentioned in a Hadith related by Imam Ahmad that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Do not receive caravans (to buy their goods), (but wait) until they reach the market." (Part No. 13; Page No. 123)  (Related by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih Book of authentic Hadith on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), vol. 4, p. 373) It is also related by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih from Nafi` on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said, "We used to receive trade caravans and buy foodstuff from them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade us from buying such things until they had reached the market." In another narration by Nafi` on the authority of `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), "Some people used to buy foodstuff at the head of the market and used to sell it on the spot. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade them to sell it until they had brought it to (their) places." In another narration by Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Do not receive the merchants (on the way), but if anyone receives them and buys from them, then the seller reaches the market (and discover that they got a lower price), they have the option (to declare the transaction null and void)." Consequently, if merchants do not arrive with the goods at the market prepared to sell them, it is unlawful to receive them and buy the goods. Whoever buys the goods from merchants before they reach the market commits a sin and disobeys Allah (Exalted be He) if he is aware of the prohibition. This act involves deceiving the seller and harming the people of the market. If it is proved that the seller has been deceived and is not treated properly, the seller has the option of either continuing with the transaction or canceling it, as this falls under Khiyar Al-Ghabn (option of deception). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.