What is the ruling if a gift of ownership is time-limited to a period other than the lifespan of the recipient (i.e., not 'Umra or Ruqba)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Gifts and Donations

Book 28 · Issue 9 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a gift of ownership is time-limited (e.g., for one year, until the Hajj arrives, or until a son matures), it is invalid. This is because a gift of ownership is not permitted to be time-limited, similar to a sale, as ownership is perpetual. This differs from 'Umra because limiting it to the recipient's life is intrinsically limiting it to a definite period, making it effectively absolute.

Supporting text

If the donor stipulates its return after the fixed term, this condition is on someone other than the recipient of the original grant, unlike the 'Umra scenario.