workmanship serving wicked purposes—such as carved idols—may be smashed and burned, just as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, burned idols. The same applies to anyone who produces food, clothing, or similar goods in a prohibited manner. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

A man owned a house and sold one-third of it to Zayd. He then sold the remainder to ‘Amr—one-third from his own property and two-thirds as Zayd’s agent—and Zayd died. Among the rights attached to the house was a water channel which proved to require relocation and removal because the harm it caused extended to others. Returning the property was impossible because substantial additional construction had been undertaken. Must the seller pay ‘Amr compensation for the channel? If so, may compensation be claimed from him for the share he sold as agent for the person who had purchased it from him, or is the claim confined to what he sold on his own behalf?

He answered:

Regarding compensation due because of a defect in the price: if the buyer has not received the price, an amount equal to the compensation is deducted from it. If he has received it on behalf of the seller or his agent, he may claim compensation from the seller.

If the agent guaranteed liability arising from the sale, or did not name his principal in the contract, he is liable for the compensation and may be required to pay it. If he named his principal in the contract but did not guarantee that liability, is he nevertheless liable? Scholars within Ahmad’s school and elsewhere hold two opinions on this matter. And Allah knows best.