Question
Kindly provide a reference for the Hadith لا خلابة
Is it a du’a to read when trading or not? And can it be read at all occasions?
Answer
This Hadith has been recorded by Imams Bukhari, Muslim, and others (rahimahumullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2117 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1533)
The commentators of Hadith have mentioned the phrase لا خلابة to mean: “There is no deceit or fraud in Islam” [Other similar meaning have been given as well]. It is not a du’a, but rather an expression Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) advised this particular Sahabi (i.e. Sayyiduna Habban ibn Munqidh or his father, Sayyiduna Munqidh ibn ‘Amr – radiyallahu ‘anhuma) to say before enacting any deal [so as to warn/remind the other party to remain upright and adhere to the principles and teachings of Islam].
(Refer: Al-Minhaj, Hadith: 3838, Fathul Bari, Hadith: 2117, and Mirqat, Hadith: 2803)
Translation
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has narrated that a man [once] mentioned to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) that he would [often] get conned/cheated in business transactions [and day to day dealings].
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) then said: ‘Say to whomsoever you deal with “لا خلابة.”’
[From then on], whenever he [i.e. this Sahabi – radiyallahu ‘anhu] would make a transaction, he would say “لا خلابة”.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1533)
Note: This is merely an explanation regarding the aforementioned text of the Hadith. For further queries regarding the Fiqhi understanding and application of the Hadith, kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar