Is it permissible in Sharia to give flour and a sum of money to bakeries in exchange for receiving bread from them?

Wheat, barley, and similar staple foods that are measurable (by volume) are among the categories in which riba (usury/interest) applies. Therefore, one cannot sell a quantity of one type of these grains for a quantity of the same type except with equality (in measure) and immediate possession (hand-to-hand exchange). Scholars have differed regarding the application of riba between wheat and its bread:

- First Opinion (Maliki school and one narration from Ahmad): It is permissible to sell bread for flour of the same type with disparity (in quantity), provided there is immediate possession. This is because bread has become an independent category. - Second Opinion (Hanafi school): It is permissible to sell bread for wheat or flour with disparity and without the condition of immediate possession. This is because bread has become another category due to its processing. - Third Opinion (Hanbali and Shafi'i schools): It is forbidden to sell bread for flour of the same type due to the impossibility of achieving equality.

The cautious approach is to sell the wheat or flour for currency (dirhams), and then use that currency to buy bread. However, if this is not possible, and the transaction occurs with immediate possession, it is permissible according to some jurists. If the transaction occurs without immediate possession, it is permissible according to the Hanafis, and this view can be adopted to alleviate hardship. The best approach is to give the flour to the baker as a trust (amanah) for them to bake it specifically (returning the same flour as bread) in exchange for a fee (ujrah), in order to correct the transaction and to be cautious in religious matters.