it was mere dust (1), through the blessing of the Prophet’s supplication.

Sound reasoning likewise indicates that agency is permissible, for it serves people’s interests. How many people are unable to carry out their affairs themselves! Out of Allah’s mercy and wisdom, He has permitted them to appoint agents. For example, a person may be occupied with seeking knowledge or with some other work, while wishing to buy bread for his family but unable to leave his work to do so; in that case, he appoints an agent. Thus, people’s interests require that agency be permissible. This is so from the standpoint of the revealed law. Therefore, the Quran, the Sunnah, and sound reasoning all establish it.

As for its declaratory ruling, he—may Allah have mercy on him—says:

“Agency is valid by every statement that indicates authorization. Acceptance is valid, whether immediate or delayed, by every statement or action that indicates it. Whoever has the authority to dispose of something may appoint an agent and act as an agent with respect to it. . . .”

“Agency is valid by every statement that indicates authorization.” Validity, invalidity, nullity, cause, condition, and impediment are all declaratory rulings. Thus, agency is valid through every statement that indicates authorization. If a man says, for example, “So-and-so, take this car and sell it,” the agency is valid, even if he does not say, “I appoint you as my agent to sell it,” because his words, “Take it and sell it,” indicate this, even though they do not contain the term for agency.

The offer—that is, the statement issued by the principal, which constitutes the appointment of an agent—must be expressed verbally, but it has no particular form prescribed by the Sacred Law. In this regard, the jurists have stated that contracts are concluded by whatever indicates them. This is the preponderant view and the one that must be adopted.

Acceptance, however, is broader: it is valid by every statement or action that indicates it.