is acquired through description, because one may enter into a salam contract for fruits to be delivered one or two years hence, even though they do not yet exist. Thus, knowledge is acquired through description; however, two conditions are necessary:

First: the described item must be something that can be precisely defined by description.

Second: it must actually be defined by description.

Thus, sale by description is more restrictive than sale based on inspection, or what resembles it.

As for what cannot be precisely defined by description, such as jewels, pearls, and the like, it may not be sold by description, because it varies enormously. One pearl bead may, for example, be worth a thousand riyals, while another is not worth ten riyals. It therefore cannot be precisely defined. Hence, it must be something capable of being precisely defined by description, and its description must also be specified with great precision, so that no dispute arises upon delivery.

Can manufactured goods be precisely defined?

The answer is yes. Among the items most readily defined are pitchers, cups, pens, and the like. These can be precisely defined, and—as is evident—manufactured goods may be far more precisely defined than wheat and dates.

But if someone were to say: People entered into salam contracts for fruits in the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and it is known that defining them by description with extremely exact precision is either difficult or impossible.

We reply: A slight degree of uncertainty that is overlooked does not cause harm.

Question: Is sale by means of a sample valid?