Is visual inspection (Ru'yah) by both buyer and seller necessary for the validity of a contract?

Chapter on the Option of the Two Parties in Sale

Al-Mughni

Book of Sales

Book 12 · Issue 1 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Visual inspection by both the seller and the buyer is considered essential for the validity of a contract. The basis for this requirement is that sight is a strong indicator (mazanna) of mutual consent (*rida*) from both parties, which is necessary for a sale.