of conditions. Indeed, none of the four imams is more ready than he to uphold their validity. Most contracts and contractual conditions that Ahmad considers valid are supported by specific evidence, whether a transmitted report or an analogy. Yet he does not regard the argument advanced by proponents of the first view as an obstacle to their validity, nor does he object that a condition conflicts with what the contract ordinarily entails or that no scriptural text establishes it. Reports concerning contracts and conditions had reached him from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Companions that are not found with the other imams.

He therefore ruled in accordance with these reports and extended their rulings by analogy to comparable cases. As for the texts on which others relied to invalidate conditions, he may question their authenticity or their force as evidence. Likewise, he may question the analogies on which they relied. Some of his followers also rely on the general statements of the Quran and Sunnah that we shall mention to establish the validity of conditions.

One example is allowing an option period exceeding three days without restriction, whereas Mālik permits it for as long as needed. According to one of the two positions transmitted from Ahmad, he also permits stipulating a right of cancellation in marriage. Ibn Hāmid and others permit it in guarantees and similar contracts.

Ahmad permits a person, in all contracts, to reserve some of the benefit of property passing out of his ownership, and to stipulate something beyond what those contracts ordinarily entail when no special conditions are specified. Thus, where a contract has certain implications in the absence of special conditions, he permits these to be increased or reduced by stipulation, provided this does not contravene the revealed law, as I shall explain, Allah willing.

He therefore permits a seller to reserve some of the benefit of the property sold, such as a slave’s service, residence in a house, and similar benefits, provided that the benefit is one that may lawfully be retained while the property is in the ownership of