Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The dearest parts on the face of the earth near Allah are its mosques, and the most hated parts near Allah are its markets.'' Commentary by Imam Nawawi: While in the market places people forget to remember Allah and indulge in such forbidden acts as fraud, lies and gossip. It is not the place itself which is disliked but the bad things which are bound to happen in it. [Muslim]