the agent knows. This is the most plausible of the interpretations, and the one we mentioned first. Five interpretations emerge from these:

The first interpretation is that there is no distinction between the principal’s death and his dismissal of the agent, and that three opinions apply to each:

The first is that agency terminates upon death or dismissal itself, with respect to both the agent and anyone dealing with him, even if neither knows of it. This is the apparent meaning of the passage on dismissing an agent in the Book of Partnership.

The second is that it terminates with respect to both once the agent learns of it. This is Ashhab’s opinion.

The third is that it does not terminate with respect to either until that person learns of it. This is Ibn al-Qāsim’s opinion concerning two partners and the apparent meaning of Mālik’s statement at the beginning of the Book of Agency.

The second interpretation likewise makes no distinction between the principal’s death and his dismissal of the agent, but allows only two opinions in each case:

The first is that agency terminates with respect to both once the agent learns of it.

The second is that it does not terminate with respect to either until that person learns of it.

The third interpretation distinguishes between death and dismissal. In the case of death, agency does not terminate with respect to either until that person learns of it. In the case of dismissal, there are two opinions:

The first is that agency terminates with respect to both upon dismissal itself.

The second is that it terminates with respect to both once the agent alone learns of it.

The fourth interpretation also distinguishes between death and dismissal. In the case of death, agency does not terminate with respect to either until that person learns of it. In the case of dismissal, it terminates once the agent learns of it, with no difference of opinion.

The fifth interpretation likewise distinguishes between death and dismissal: agency terminates in the case of