Can an animal whose primary utility is through its offspring or byproducts be sold?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
An animal whose utility is derived from its yield or offspring, and not immediately consumed or used in its living state, is permissible to sell. This is affirmed because the utility derived from silkworms (producing silk) is significant, unlike genuinely useless insects. The objection that an entity whose essence is not utilized cannot be sold is refuted by considering livestock that yield benefit only through their offspring or products.