Does Exchanging Drinks Result in a Riba Transaction?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

I believe I engaged in a riba transaction as a cashier when I allowed a customer to trade in a drink for another with a different sugar content. This, I believe, was a transaction of unequal amounts of sugar. However, I no longer live in the city I worked in and most likely will never see the customer again. How do I rectify this?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

While foodstuffs are considered usurious in nature, this is an exchange of one drink for another and not an exchange of sugar for sugar directly. The fact that the drinks contain sugar does not make the drinks riba commodities, and Allah knows best. [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik & Hamadi, Fath al-Wahhab al-Malik]

Moreover, exchanging sugar for sugar is not considered a riba transaction unless it is in its pure form and involves an increase in one of the exchanged amounts or a deferment in the payment of one of the items. Riba specifically pertains to the exchange of items (currencies) like gold for gold, silver for silver, (or food commodities) dates for dates, and wheat for wheat when there is an increase in one of them. [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik & Hamadi, Fath al-Wahhab al-Malik]

The types of wealth that are regarded as being subject to riba and were named in the religious texts are six, as mentioned in the hadith of ‘Ubada Ibn as-Samit (Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, salt for salt, like for like, same for same, hand to hand. But if these commodities differ, then sell as you like, as long as it is hand to hand” [Muslim].

Thus, your concern about a riba transaction in this case is unfounded. You may find comfort in knowing that your transaction does not fall under the category of riba.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Ba-Dhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.