Hoarding and Extravagance: Ruling on Hoarding and Imposing Penalties on Hoarders

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Hoarding and Extravagance: Ruling on Hoarding and Imposing Penalties on Hoarders

English:

Question #1458:

What are the things that are ḥarām to hoard? And do you authorise the imposition of financial penalties on hoarders?

Answer #1458:

According to transmitted traditions and the most famous view, things that are forbidden to be hoarded are confined to the four crops (wheat, barley, dates, and raisins) and animal / vegetable fat which are commonly used by different sections of the society. However, if the public interest necessitates, the Islamic state has the jurisdiction to ban the hoarding of all that the people need. There is no objection to imposing financial penalties on hoarders if the judge thinks fit.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Hoarding and Extravagance