for one to undertake such an obligation toward another. If he explains it as a single date, then apparently this depends on the circumstances at hand. For example, if we are in a time of famine—may Allah protect us—then a date is undoubtedly something of value; how many exhausted and perishing people have been saved by one! But in a time of prosperity, it is not considered something of value. The Messenger ﷺ said: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date.” (1)

In summary: if he explains it as something regarded as property, his explanation is accepted. If he explains it as something not customarily regarded as property, such as a walnut shell; or not regarded as property in Islamic law, such as wine; or something deemed worthless and shunned due to its foulness, such as carrion—then his explanation is not accepted. Thus, we say that carrion is not regarded as property because of its foulness and because people shun it. Otherwise, its hide may be tanned—and is purified by tanning—so it could potentially be regarded as property.

Likewise, if it is not among financial rights and has no connection to property, his explanation of it is not accepted. Thus, if he says, “He has something due from me,” and he is asked, “Explain it,” and he replies, “If he sneezes and praises Allah, I owe him the response, ‘May Allah have mercy on you’; or, if he greets me with salām, I owe him a return greeting,” we say: it is not customary for a person to acknowledge or undertake such matters as obligations upon himself. Therefore, his explanation is not accepted on that basis. It is accepted only with respect to property and financial rights, such as the right of pre-emption.

His statement: “It is accepted if he explains it as a dog whose benefit is permissible, or as the prescribed punishment for slander.” Thus, if he says, “He has something due from me,” and he is asked, “Explain it,” and he replies, “A hunting dog, a livestock dog, or a guard dog,” his explanation is accepted, because it must be returned to its owner. If someone