Is it permissible to sell bees?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
The sale of bees is permissible provided they are confined and cannot escape observation. This transaction is valid because bees are pure animals whose produce offers benefits to people, thus resembling the sale of livestock. This view aligns with the position taken by the majority of jurists.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa holds that selling bees individually is not permissible, drawing an analogy to the ruling concerning silkworms.