Is partnership (*sharikat al-'inan*) permissible?

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Partnership (*sharikat al-'inan*), wherein two individuals contribute their capital and labor for a shared profit, is permissible by unanimous agreement (*ijma'*). Ibn al-Mundhir mentioned this consensus. The term 'al-'inan' is debated: some hold it means equality in capital and action, akin to two horsemen whose reins ('inan) are equal. Al-Fara suggested it derives from 'aradh' (to appear), meaning each partner decided to partner with the other. A third view links it to 'mu'aananah' (opposition/matching), where each partner matches the other in capital and actions.