Is a forward sale (Salaf/Salam) valid for arrows (Nashab and Nabl)?
Chapter on Guaranteed Salaf (Advance Payment) for a Specified Term
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
The forward sale (Salam) is valid for arrows (Nashab and Nabl). This is supported by the reasoning that arrows are items whose sale is permissible, and their quality can be precisely defined by specifications that typically do not cause significant price fluctuation, similar to timber or reeds. Any components within the arrow, even if heterogeneous, can be specified and sufficiently accounted for without causing significant price variation, analogous to textiles woven from two different materials. Furthermore, even if the feathers (reeds) were impure, the sale remains valid, just as impurity of a mule or donkey does not invalidate its sale.
Supporting text
The forward sale for arrows is invalid according to Al-Qadi and the position of Al-Shafi'i. Their reasoning is that arrows comprise a mixture of materials such as wood, horn tip (aqib), feathers, and the arrowhead (nasl), making them analogous to compounded pharmaceutical mixtures. Additionally, they argue that the feathers are impure because they originate from predatory birds.