The Case of Monopolization (Hoarding) Goods in Public Demand

4. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from abu al-Fadl Salim al-Hannat who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, once asked me, ‘What is your business?’ I replied, ‘It is selling wheat. At times business is good and sometimes it is not good so I hold selling.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What do people who visit you say about it?’ I replied, ‘They say, “He is a hoarder.’” He (the Imam) asked, ‘Does anyone else sell wheat besides you?’ I replied, ‘I sell only one out of a thousandth of what is sold in the market.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Then there is no offense in what you do. The person who hoarded food was Hakim ibn Hizam. He would buy all food supplies that came to al- Madinah. The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, passed by his place and said, “O Hakim ibn Hizam, you must not hoard (food supplies).””’