Q. Can I give a person 3 dollars for a 2 dollar item that I told him to buy for me? Some say it can be done, some say it cannot be done. I need just a little detail. Why Yes? why no?

Answer: Take note of the two cases below. If you understand them, Insha-Allah your uncertainty regarding your matter would be resolved. Those that have said no, said so due to possibly not understanding the minor intricacies that are linked to aspects of usury versus that of profit.

Case 1: Zaid was asked to buy some beads for his beloved sister Hinda. If Zaid gave his sister the set of beads with a bill of 3 dollars, and Hinda out of her generosity chose to pay him 5 dollars in exchange of the beads, and Zaid accepted this extra sum of cash,  such a transaction would be valid.  Why? Read on.

Case 2: One the other hand, if Bob owes Bobsy 3 dollars, and Bobsy demands 5 dollars, then such a transaction would be forbidden. Why the difference in response between case one and two? (good question) Read on.

Why a different response to the above cases. After all, they both claim  or took more then the originally stipulated amount.

In case one, the (jince) also known as the ‘specie type’ is different. Zaid is giving beads and Hinda is giving money. Money and beads are considered ‘different specie types.’ Such a transaction is allowed in Islam. It is called a business transaction. Something we take part in on continual bases. We do it whilst buying products in a store, etc. It is viewed as a profit/loss like transaction.

By contrast, in the second case, we have a Riba ( interest charge) type of situation. For example, it is similar to a person who is exchanging 3 pounds of date for 5 pounds of date. According to the Hadith, giving dates in exchange of more or less dates is forbidden. Because in case two,  the (jince) specie of transacted item is same, (dates in exchange for dates, money in exchange of money, etc.) Case two falls into the category of what is termed as Riba (interest).  This is also the type of dealing banks and corrupt money lenders thrive upon. In essence, its general function helps to keep the masses subservient to a ruthless financial system.

Without pride we are forced to note, it is as a result of our case two example, as of current, the United States alone suffers a 700 trillion dollar financial crises. Money for money is called Riba, Quran and Ahadith forbid it, following the outlined formula derived from such Ayat and Hadith could have minimized the loss of many homes, etc,  in recent weeks and months. Thus, it is no wonder that Islam has viewed such transactions as forbidden.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states:

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Allah will deprive usury of all its blessings (barakah), and He causes charitable deeds to flourish, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner (2:276)

So let us be cautious about our dealings and monitor them accordingly, so as to create Baraka in our lives.

Glad we could be of assistance in clarifying key concepts.

Allah certainly knows best.