“If he explains it as a right of pre-emption or as the smallest amount of wealth, his explanation is accepted.” If he explains it as a right of pre-emption, his explanation is accepted. For example, I sell my share of this land to Zayd, while my partner is ‘Amr. Zayd, who purchased my share, says to ‘Amr, “You have something due from me.” He is asked, “What is the thing that you owe me?” He replies, “The right of pre-emption.” Pre-emption means that ‘Amr has the right to take possession of what I sold to Zayd. Thus, if he explains it as a right of pre-emption, his explanation is accepted.

Likewise, if he explains it as a right of option, his explanation is accepted. For example, Zayd purchases some goods from ‘Amr on the condition that the buyer has an option for three days. The seller then says, “He has something due from me.” We say, “Explain it.” He replies, “The right of option.” This is valid, because these are rights connected to property.

If he explains it as the smallest amount of wealth, his explanation is accepted. He says, “He has something due from me.” We say, “Explain it.” He replies, “Twenty-five halalah.” This is valid, because it is considered wealth.

His statement, “But if he explains it as carrion, wine, or a walnut shell, it is not accepted”: he says, “He has something in my possession,” or, “He has something due from me.” We say, “What is it?” He replies, “The carcass of a sheep.” This is not accepted, because it is not regarded as property and thus cannot be established as a liability. Or he explains it as wine: this is not accepted because it is not regarded as property; it is not legally recognized wealth. Or he explains it as a walnut shell—the walnut is well known. He says, “He has something in my possession.” What is this thing? He replies, “A walnut shell.” This is not accepted, because it is not regarded as property. He says, “I have something belonging to him,” and he is asked, “What is it?” He replies, “A grain of corn.” This is not accepted, because it is not regarded as property, even though it is possible for him to sow this grain and for it to yield seven ears, each ear containing one hundred grains. But we say: this is not something customarily