or, “I have sold you this commodity at a discount of such-and-such from what I paid for it.” In any of these four cases, if it becomes clear that the stated cost price was inaccurate, the buyer has the choice—according to one opinion in the school—either to keep the sale as it is or to cancel it altogether. A second opinion holds that in this situation the buyer has no option; the judgment proceeds on the basis of the actual price, and any excess falls away. Allah knows best.

Seventh: An option is established when the two parties to the sale differ over some point—such as the amount of the price, the specific item sold, its quantity, or its description—and neither of them can produce evidence. They must then repudiate each other’s claim, each swearing to what he maintains; after both oaths have been taken, either party may annul the sale if he is not content with the other’s assertion.

Eighth: An option belongs to the purchaser when he bought an item on the basis of an earlier inspection but later finds that its condition has changed. At that point he may either ratify the sale or rescind it. Allah knows best.