and in this respect he ranks equally with the other creditors. His statement, “since it is not a pledge,” is open to question, because a declaration of insolvency makes all the insolvent debtor’s debts immediately due. Since the debt thus falls due, the purchaser under the salam contract may withhold the purchase price—if he has not yet paid it—in accordance with what they have said concerning deferred dower: if it falls due before consummation, the wife may refuse consummation until she receives it. There is, however, disagreement on this point. According to Ibn al-Qāsim’s view that he has a preferential right to the money itself in bankruptcy, he may withhold it and is not obliged to pay it and participate alongside the creditors in the proportional distribution. If the salam purchase price consisted of merchandise, he could withhold it according to both scholars’ positions.
Section
As for consideration that a person can deliver but is not obliged to deliver—such as goods he has sold, where the purchaser becomes insolvent before the seller delivers them—he has the choice of retaining his goods or delivering them and participating alongside the creditors in the proportional distribution for their price. There is no disagreement concerning this category.
Section
The fifth category, where advancing delivery of the consideration is not within his power, is exemplified by a man who contracts to pay another man dinars under a salam sale for merchandise to be delivered at a specified date, then becomes insolvent before paying the purchase price and before the merchandise falls due. If the seller agrees to deliver the merchandise early and participate alongside the creditors in the proportional distribution for the salam purchase price, this is permissible provided the creditors agree. If any of them objects, the seller participates alongside the creditors for the purchase price owed to him, sharing in whatever assets the debtor is found to possess and in the merchandise that the seller owes once it falls due. If they wish to sell that merchandise for cash and divide the proceeds proportionally now, they may do so.
If, however, the purchaser becomes insolvent after the salam delivery has fallen due from the seller, the seller ranks equally with the other creditors in respect of the purchase price, sharing with them in the salam goods he is now obliged to deliver. According to Ibn al-Qāsim’s position, he may withhold those goods and has a preferential right to them—even though he does not hold them as a pledge. This would also follow Ashhab’s position, which treats them as a pledge—even though he had not taken them from him as one. If, however, he becomes insolvent after paying the salam purchase price