The six substances (items) that are sold by weight and measure, literally: gold, silver, dates, wheat, salt and barley. Exchanging these substances in kind must be in equal measure and with immediate transfer of possession (qabdh) in order to avoid exchanging unequal amounts (measures and weights) or the so called riba in trade (riba al-fadhl). If carried out in conformity to these conditions, then the exchange is riba-free (i.e., halal/ permissible/ shari’a compliant).

Broadly speaking, these items (العناصر الربوية) include all similar items that inherently carry the very nature of ribawi items. An example is rice, which is in essence a staple and storable (non-perishable) foodstuff. By generalization, any items that feature such qualities can be classified as ribawi items.