Is forward sale (Salam) permissible for commodities that are neither measured by volume, weighed, nor sown?
Chapter on Guaranteed Salaf (Advance Payment) for a Specified Term
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
A narration attributed to Ahmad states that forward sale (Salam) is only permissible for commodities that can be measured by volume, weighed, or precisely quantified. Abu al-Khattab interpreted this quantification to mean being defined by a known, unchanging limit, like cultivated crops. Based on this narration, Ahmad did not permit Salam in pomegranates or eggs. This view extends to prohibiting Salam in all counted items that vary significantly, such as vegetables, because the quantity contained within a bundle (hazm) varies between small and large items, making precise definition impossible, similar to precious stones.
Supporting text
Another narration from Isma'il ibn Sa'id and Ibn Mansur permits forward sale in fruits, quince, pomegranates, bananas, vegetables, and similar items. This is because many of these items possess similar sizes and can be reasonably regulated by size, while those that vary significantly can be regulated by weight, such as certain vegetables. This view aligns with the position of Abu Hanifa, Al-Shafi'i, and Al-Awza'i.