He replied:

If he leases the land for less than the market rent and hands it over to them, he is acting wrongfully and exceeding his authority. The landowners may hold him liable for the full market rent, because he handed their land over to others to benefit from it. As for the tenants, if they knew that he was acting wrongfully and giving them preferential terms, the landowners may also hold them liable if they have already benefited from the land. If they have not yet planted it, the owners may prevent them from doing so, for the lease in that case is invalid.

If, however, they were unaware, but the lessor had informed them, may the landowners hold them liable? The scholars hold two views on this. If the owners do hold them liable, may they seek reimbursement from the one who deceived them for amounts they were not contractually bound to pay? There are likewise two views on this. The third view is found within Ahmad’s school and among other scholars.

He was asked—may Allah be pleased with him:

About a woman who appointed her brother as her agent to claim all her rights, bring proceedings on her behalf, and annul her marriage to her husband. This authorization was established before the judge. The agent then brought a claim before that judge against her husband for his principal’s maintenance and clothing. The husband admitted that he was unable to provide these. Some time passed, during which the agent brought him before the judge repeatedly, and he continued to acknowledge his inability. The agent therefore asked the judge to authorize him to annul his principal’s marriage to her husband. The judge authorized him to do so, and the agent then annulled