Validity of a contract specifying different wages based on the completion time of the same work.

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There are two established narrations from Ahmad regarding a contract where the employer states: 'If you stitch this garment today, you will receive one dirham, and if you stitch it tomorrow, you will receive half a dirham.' The first opinion declares the contract invalid, awarding the worker the customary wage (*ajr al-mithl*). This view is attributed to Abu al-Harith and aligns with the doctrines of Malik, al-Thawri, al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Abu Thawr. The basis for this invalidity is that it constitutes a single contract where the consideration (*'iwad*) varies based on the timing of performance (early or delayed), making it invalid, similar to a sale where the price differs for immediate payment versus deferred payment.