With seven conditions: The first is that its characteristics can be precisely specified in goods sold by volume, weight, or length. As for countable items that vary, such as fruits, vegetables, skins, heads, vessels whose openings and middles vary—such as flasks and narrow-mouthed pails—precious stones, pregnant animals, and every adulterated item, …
His statement, “With seven conditions,” means that these conditions—some scholars have said—are additional to the conditions already required for a sale. Thus, these seven conditions must be met in addition to the preceding conditions of sale, making them further conditions. The correct view, however, is that some of these conditions are included within the preceding conditions of sale, while others are additional. They are conditions for validity, not for bindingness, for the conditions of bindingness are only the stipulations made within the contract, whereas the conditions of the contract are conditions for its validity.
His statement, “The first is that its characteristics can be precisely specified,” means that it must be possible to specify its characteristics precisely. Whatever cannot be precisely specified cannot be the subject of a salam contract, due to the uncertainty and ignorance involved. Such precision is attained through what the author mentions in his statement:
“in goods sold by volume, weight, or length.”
Regarding his statement, “in goods sold by volume,” the preposition may be understood as meaning “like,” that is, like goods sold by volume, weight, or length. Alternatively, it may mean: by measuring by volume an item sold by volume, since its characteristics are precisely specified by measuring it by volume, not by it being an item sold by volume. The item sold by volume is the subject matter of the contract, whereas the characteristics are specified by volume, weight, and length. The first meaning appears preferable: that the preposition means “like,” because it will be mentioned that characteristics may be precisely specified by other means as well.
His statement, “goods sold by volume,” includes such things as wheat.
“Goods sold by weight,” such as meat, sugar, and similar items.
“Goods sold by length,” such as fabrics, bedding, ropes, and similar items.
It has already been stated that precision can be attained through volume, weight, and length, because