Role of Time and Space in Generalization of the Attributes of Hoarding with an Approach based on Imam Khomeini's Views

Despite prohibition of hoarding in Islam, it is still one of the highly practiced ways of raising income and accumulation of wealth. Hoarding is storing foodstuffs up or withholding them in expectation of a rise in their prices. Based on the expediency and corruption thus explained, Islamic Sharia law is not specific to a certain time or place. Given the roles of time and space, Muslim jurists can issue verdicts on variable decrees of Islam. Considering the elements of time and space, the views of Imam Khomeini on generalization of the attributes of hoarding can be clearly discerned. According to Imam Khomeini, needs and requirements of the people, lack of adequate vendor or other provider, and withholding food characterize hoarding. This is because in the majority of Islamic traditions hoarding has been absolutely forbidden and the above-said are influential in generalization of the attributes of hoarding. Therefore, the Sharia law is religiously authorized to rule on forcing the hoarder to put his goods on public sale, determining the price of the hoarded goods and in the end, and issuing penalties on the hoarder.