Inciting the bidding (najsh)

النَّجْش

Najash, in the lexicon, is inciting; in usage it is raising the bid for goods above their worth without intending to buy, in order to draw another into buying. Most jurists hold it forbidden on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ's prohibition. The Malikis hold that bidding above the value is forbidden by agreement, and that bidding up to or below the value is disputed. Most jurists hold the sale valid, since the act is the bidder's and not the contractor's, while a view of Ahmad holds it void. The Hanafis and Malikis give the buyer an option when the seller knew of the shill; the sounder Shafi'i view gives no option; the Hanbalis give an option where the deal carries a loss that people do not usually accept. ^{1 2 3}