What is the ruling on increasing the prices of goods and services – such as hotels in Mecca during Ramadan and Hajj – three times their value, with no increase in costs, and what leads to rendering Muslims unable and restricting them?

The increase in prices of goods and services due to scarcity of supply and increased demand is permissible. Prices indeed rose during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, whereupon he said: "Indeed, Allah is the One who sets prices, withholds, grants, and provides." However, if the increase results from collusion or exploitation of people's needs, then it is incumbent upon the ruler to set prices at a level that serves the public interest and prevents injustice. This is the view held by a group of scholars, who interpreted the hadith prohibiting price-fixing as applicable to normal circumstances. Therefore, price-fixing is forbidden if it involves injustice and coercion of people without right, but it is permissible, even obligatory, if it involves justice and prevents charging an excessive amount beyond the equivalent value.