Umdat at-Talib - Al-Buhuti - (1/140)

the profit lapses; the buyer keeps what remains, and anything that was deferred stays deferred, with no right of option to rescind.

1 Whatever increase is made in the price, the object of sale, or the option itself during either of the two option periods,2 or whatever indemnity is taken for a defect or for damage done to the item,3 is treated as part of the contract and must be disclosed. If the circumstances are also explained, so much the better. Additions resulting from natural growth and the like, however, are not included.4

Seventh: If the two parties to the sale disagree about the price and neither can produce evidence, they both swear an oath; afterwards, each may annul the sale if he does not accept the other’s claim.

Should they differ over the denomination of the price,5 the coinage current in the locality is adopted; if that is uncertain, the predominant coin; failing that, the median one.

In a dispute about a term of deferment or a stipulation, the statement of the one who denies its existence is accepted, for its presence would vitiate the contract.6 Concerning the very identity of the item sold or its quantity, the seller’s word is accepted.7

If each refuses to deliver until the other takes possession, and the price is a specific tangible asset, a trustworthy agent is appointed to take delivery from them both, hand over the merchandise, and then the price. If the price is a due debt in the buyer’s possession, the seller is compelled first, then the buyer. If the price is within a distance shorter than that which permits shortening the prayer, the buyer is placed under interdiction with respect to all his property until he brings it. Should it be farther away, or should the buyer be insolvent, the seller may rescind the sale.

Eighth: There is an option for discrepancy in the stated description and for any change that occurs after the item was previously inspected.

(1) In manuscript J the reading is: wa la (“nor”). (2) That is, the two discretionary options: khiyar al-majlis (right of withdrawal while the parties are still together) and khiyar al-shart (right stipulated as a contractual condition). (3) Manuscript A has: aw jinaya (“or a criminal offense”). (4) The phrase la namaʾ wa-nahwuhu (“no increment nor the like”) is erased in manuscript B, whereas in manuscript J it appears earlier, before the words “and he informs him of it.” (5) In other words, the price must be specified, indicating which currency it is. (6) Just as the statement of one who denies a factor that would nullify the contract is accepted—because the default assumption is its absence—so it is in this case. (7) Manuscripts B and J read: al-baʾiʿ (“the seller”).

ربح وأَخَذَهُ مشترٍ بالباقي، وأُجِّل في مؤجل ولا خيار. وما (١) يُزاد في ثمن أو مثمن أو خيار زمن الخيارين (٢) ، أو يُؤخذ أرشًا لعيبٍ أو لجنايةٍ (٣) عليه: يلحق بعقد ويُخبر به، وإن أخبرنا بالحال فحسن، لا نماء ونحوه (٤) . السابع: إذا اختلف البائعان في ثمنٍ ولا بينة تحالفا، ثم لكلٍ فسخه إن لم يرض أحدهما بقول الآخر. وإن اختلفا في صفته (٥) أُخذ نقد البلد ثم غالبه ثم الوسط. وفي أَجَل أو شرطٍ فقولُ مَن ينفيه كمفسد (٦) ، وفي عين مبيع أو قدره فقول بائعٍ (٧) ، وإن أبى كل التسليم حتى يقبضه الآخر، والثمَنُ عَيْنٌ، نُصب عدلً يقبض منهما ويُسلّم المبيع ثم الثمن، وإن كان دينًا حالاً بيده أُجبر بائعٌ ثم مشترٍ، وإن كان دون مسافة قصر حُجر عَليْهِ في كل مَاله حتى يحضره، وإن كان بعيدًا أو المشتري مفلسًا فلبائع الفسخ. الثامن: خيار للخُلف في الصفة، وتغيّر ما تقدمت رؤيته.

(١) في (ج): "ولا". (٢) أي: خياري المجلس والشرط. (٣) في (أ): "أو جناية". (٤) قوله: "لا نماء ونحوه" مطموسة في (ب)، ومقدمة في (ج) قبل قوله: ويخبر به. (٥) أي صفة الثمن، من أي نقد هو. (٦) أي: كما يُقبل قول منكر ما يفسد العقد، لأن الأصل عدمه، فكذا هنا. (٧) في (ب) و (ج): "البائع".