What are the required specifications for a valid forward contract (Salam) concerning ghee (samn)?
Chapter on Guaranteed Salaf (Advance Payment) for a Specified Term
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
Ghee must be specified by its type, such as mutton, goat, or cow ghee, and its color, whether white or yellow. The pasture where the animal grazed must also be mentioned. Specifying the ghee as newly made (hadith) is implied by its general specification, and thus, specifying it as aged (ateeq) is unnecessary. A forward contract for aged ghee is invalid because aging constitutes a defect, and the extent of aging cannot be precisely defined to validate the contract. The foam (zubad) of the ghee must be described with the same specifications as the ghee itself, with the addition of specifying whether it is the foam of the current day or the previous day.
Supporting text
The recipient is not obligated to accept ghee or its foam that has changed in condition or is too thin, unless the thinness is due to purity (i.e., clarified butter).