What is the ruling when two individuals jointly sell their two respective slaves in a single transaction for a single price?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
There are two views. The first view states the sale is valid for both slaves, and the total price is apportioned according to their respective values. This is the position of Malik, Abu Hanifa, and one opinion of Al-Shafi'i, arguing that since the total price is known, the transaction is valid, similar to when one owner sells both items or when selling two measures from a single heap. The second view states the sale is void because each slave is sold for a portion of the price, which is indeterminate, unlike when the items belong to one person where the total sale is set against the total price without apportionment.