What is the meaning of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Do not sell gold for gold unless it is like for like, and do not make some of it exceed the other; and do not sell silver for silver unless it is like for like, and do not make some of it exceed the other; and do not sell any of it (that is) absent for (that is) present"?

The meaning of the Hadith (definition) is the prohibition of selling gold for gold unless they are of equal weight, and similarly silver for silver, even if their prices or purities differ. "ولا تُشِفُّوا" means do not prefer one of the two عوضين (countervalues) over the other. The Hadith also prohibits selling gold for gold, or silver for silver, or gold for silver, if one of the two عوضين (countervalues) is absent from the contractual مجلس (session), rather they must both be present therein. The absent includes anything not present in the contractual session, whether owned by the person or not.