Is a lease valid if the rent for the first month is specified and subsequent rent is calculated proportionally?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Leasing

Book 25 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a lessor states, 'I leased it to you for one month for one dirham, and whatever is more shall be calculated accordingly,' the contract is valid only for the first month because it was specified uniquely in the contract. The rest of the contract is void because the subsequent rent is indeterminate (majhul).

Supporting text

It is probable that the contract is valid for every month the tenant occupies the property, similar to stating, 'I leased it to you for one dirham every month,' as the meaning of both statements is essentially the same.