Hadith 4523

Commentary

1. Fruits are meant to be eaten when they are ripe; raw fruits are not eaten. If raw fruits are bought, several calamities are likely to befall them before they ripen. They are likely to 'dry up'; germs might infect them, etc. Hence, one morning it might give rise to a dispute that the fruits are destroyed. What shall one pay for? In such bargains, payment is generally made at the time of reaping the harvest. In view of these disputes, such deals were prohibited. 2. Here ripening of the fruit signifies its modality, after which there is no possibility of any calamity befalling them. It does not mean their condition when they are ready to be eaten. For instance, when mango grows to its full size, it is picked. Thereupon, some seasoning is applied to it, which helps to ripen it, and so it becomes worthy of eating. So in this condition, buying and selling of mango fruit is appropriate.