Can rules of Ribā/usury relate to exchanging modern day goods such as mobile phones?

Q: Does ribā only relate to money and food items, or can modern day goods come under this too? Eg swapping a contemporary item -such as a mobile phone of a lower value for one of a higher value?

 

 

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب

A: Ribā in trade relates to the sale of items that are sold by weight or volume.  Thus, non-food stuffs such as copper which is sold by weight is subject to the rules on ribā.  Items that are not sold by weight or volume are not subject to the rules on ribā.  Thus, the exchange of two mobile phones and other such items are not subject to the rules on ribā.

 

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