For this reason, Imam Ahmad said: “Every salam contract is bound to involve some variation,” because no matter how precise a person may be in describing something, he cannot encompass every attribute. For example, if we enter into a salam contract for a car, we need to state its color, since this affects the price; and we state its model, since this too affects the price; and whether it is a single-cab or double-cab vehicle.

An example of something that does not affect the price is the radio. Cars may differ in this respect: in some vehicles it is placed in the middle, while in others it is beside the driver. The same applies to the clock: in some cars, for example, it is placed above; in others, below; in some it is tilted toward the right, and in others toward the left. Such attributes need not be stated, because they are of no importance and people pay them no attention. The same applies to all other attributes that do not produce an evident difference in price: they need not be mentioned, because it is difficult to encompass them all.

His statement: “its newness or oldness.” This means that it must be stated whether it is new or old, and this is essential, because there is an evident difference in price between what is new and what is old. Thus, concerning dates, we must say: “from this year’s dates,” or “from last year’s dates,” because there is an evident difference between them. But how could there be dates from the previous year?

The answer is that he may have some stored away—meaning preserved in tin containers—and have dates remaining from the previous year. Therefore, it must be stated whether they are new or old.