and medium-sized containers such as narrow-necked ewers and buckets, gemstones, pregnant1 animals, every adulterated item, and anything made up of indistinguishable mixtures—such as ghaliyah perfume and compound ointments—may not be sold on salam. Salam is, however, permissible for ordinary animals, garments woven from two kinds of yarn, and for products whose blending is incidental, like cheese2, date vinegar, oxymel, and the like.

Second: The contract must specify the genus, variety, and every attribute that clearly affects the price, including whether the commodity is new or aged. It is invalid to stipulate “the very worst quality” or “the very best.” One should instead say “good” or “inferior.” If the seller delivers what was stipulated, or something better of the same variety—even before the due date, provided that taking delivery causes no hardship—the buyer is bound to accept it.3

Third: The quantity must be fixed by a known measure of volume, weight, or length. Should one stipulate a quantity by weight for something normally sold by volume, or by volume for something normally sold by weight, the salam is invalid.

Fourth: A definite, known term that influences the price must be stated. Hence it is invalid to set the term as “immediate,” “until the harvest,” “until the fruit-picking,” or “until such-and-such a day,” unless the buyer is to receive something from the seller each day, such as bread, meat, and the like.4

Fifth: The commodity must be generally available at the place of delivery (not merely at the time of the contract). If it becomes wholly or partly unavailable, the buyer may wait, or annul all or the unavailable portion of the contract, reclaiming the corresponding price or its equivalent.