Is all installment-based transacting unlawful because it is not hand-to-hand, based on the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him: "If the types differ, then sell however you wish, if it is hand-to-hand"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
"The requirement for immediate possession at the contract مجلس العقد applies to usurious transactions when the items are of the same genus or علت, such as exchanging currencies or food items. However, this ruling does not apply to selling food for deferred payment (installments), nor to selling anything that is not of the same genus and lacks the same علت. Qadi Iyad mentioned that sales can occur on a cash basis or with deferred payment, and a difference in quantity is permissible unless the transaction involves currencies or staple foods."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/149734
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 149734
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy