Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 318

Abomination of Swearing in Transaction

باب كراهة الحلف في البيع وإن كان صادقًا

Here Buruja turns to the marketplace, and to a habit so common it can feel harmless: swearing by Allah to push a sale through. These two narrations name the hidden cost. An oath may indeed move the goods faster, but it quietly drains away the barakah, the blessing, that is the real wealth in any dealing.

Notice the trade being described, not the price tag but what is sacrificed for it. To invoke Allah's name to win a customer is to spend something far more valuable than the sale is worth. The lesson sits in the heart's lane: let your word and your honesty be enough, and leave the swearing aside.

Hadith 1720

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏الحلف منفقة للسلعة، ممحقة للكسب‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Swearing produces a ready sale for a commodity, but blots out the blessing." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Swearing oaths to push a sale through may move the goods quickly, but it wipes out the blessing in the dealing. Honest words should be enough.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1720 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 210

Hadith 1721

Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي قتادة رضي الله عنه أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏إياكم وكثرة الحلف في البيع، فإنه ينفق ثم يمحق‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Beware of excessive swearing in sale, because it may promote trade but this practice will eliminate the blessing." [Muslim].

In plain words

A caution against excessive swearing in trade: it may boost sales but drains away the blessing, the real wealth in any transaction.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1721 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 211