between them, but if a specific condition is laid down that assigns any of these items to one party rather than the other, that condition must be observed, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Muslims are bound by their stipulations.”

Whoever sells date-palms after their blossoms have been pollinated, the forthcoming fruit belongs to the seller, in accordance with the Prophet’s statement: “Whoever purchases date-palms after they have been pollinated, their fruit belongs to the one who sold them—unless the buyer makes it a condition” (agreed upon). Pollination (taʿbīr) is the fertilization of the blossoms. The same ruling applies to grapevines, mulberry trees, and pomegranate trees: if they are sold after their fruit has appeared, that fruit remains the seller’s. Whatever precedes pollination in palms, or the first appearance of fruit in vines and similar trees, passes to the buyer, by virtue of the meaning of the noble hadith regarding date-palms and by analogy to other trees.

From this one perceives the perfection of the Islamic law: it solves people’s problems and grants every rightful person his due without injustice or harm to anyone. There is no issue for which it has not provided an adequate solution, one that embodies benefit and wisdom—a legislation from the All-Wise, the Praiseworthy, who knows what benefits His servants and what harms them in every time and place.

Allah the Exalted has spoken the truth when He says: “O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Then if you disagree about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most suitable for resolution” (Q 4:59). Nothing can settle disputes among people, safeguard their interests, and satisfy believing souls except the judgment of Allah and His Messenger.