Muslims that could take the field against overwhelming numbers, that boys and old men had to be enlisted perforce.
Subject to what has been stated above and what will be stated further on, the owner of movable property, whether a male or a female, has the right to sell or barter it. The Holy Qur’ān lays stress on honest and straight dealing in the very earliest revelation: “Woe to the cheaters! Who, when they take the measure (of their dues) from men, take it fully; and when they measure out to others or weigh out for them, they give less than is due” (83:1-3); “And give full measure when you measure out and weigh with a true balance. This is fair and better in the end” (17:35); “Give full measure and be not of those who diminish; and weigh things with a true balance, and wrong not men of their dues and act not corruptly in the earth making mischief” (26:181-183). Ḥadīth also lays stress on honest dealing, so much so that if there is any defect in a thing it must be pointed out to the intending buyer (Bu. 34:19; Ah. III, p. 491). The Holy Prophet himself is reported to have written to ‘Addā’ ibn Khālid as follows: “This is the writing by which Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh, has made a purchase from ‘Addā’ ibn Khālid, the barter of a Muslim with a Muslim, there is no defect in it nor any deception or an evil” (Bu. 34:19). According to another ḥadīth he is reported to have said: “If the two parties speak the truth and make it manifest, their transaction shall be blessed, and if they conceal and tell a lie, the blessing of their transaction shall be obliterated” (Bu. 34:19). Honesty and bona fides in matters of sale are stressed in a large number of ḥadīth.
The many other details that are met with in Ḥadīth need not be stated here, being but of minor importance; a few only which are of a general nature are briefly noted. Men and women are expressly mentioned as selling to and buying from one another, so that there is not the least sex disqualification in this respect (Bu. 34:67). While a transaction is being carried on with a man, another should not