Is it permissible to sell dates to a merchant who initially delayed their delivery to me without (full) possession, or is it more appropriate for me to ask him for compensation for the profits I missed due to his delay in delivering the goods?

It is permissible for the seller to sell dates before taking possession of them—which is a forward sale (bay' al-muslam fihi)—on the condition that they are sold at the market price of the day of sale or less. Also, there must be a simultaneous exchange if the dates are sold for something other than cash that involves usury of delay (riba al-nasi'ah), and it should not be made the price for another forward sale. However, compensation for delayed delivery is impermissible, as it constitutes usury (riba).