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