is by making it available (al-takhliya) along with distinction, because he has cleared the way between the buyer and the sold item without any barrier, so it constitutes possession, just like real estate. Our argument is what Abu Hurayra (7) reported, that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "If you sell, then measure, and if you buy, then have it measured for you." Narrated by al-Bukhari (8). Also, it is reported from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he forbade selling food until the two measures (sa') have been accounted for: the seller's measure and the buyer's measure. Narrated by Ibn Majah (9), and this applies to that which is sold by measure. If it is sold in bulk (juzafan), then its possession is through transferring it, because Ibn Umar said: "They used to be whipped during the time of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) when they bought food in bulk, if they tried to sell it in the same place before transferring it." In another wording: "We used to buy food in bulk, and someone would be sent to us to order us to move it from the place where we bought it to another place before we sold it." In another wording: "We used to buy food from the travelers in bulk, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade us from selling it until we moved it." These were narrated by Muslim (10). This clarifies that measuring is only required for what is sold by measure, and this is also evidenced by the saying of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "If you specify the measure, then measure it." Narrated by al-Athram (11). If the sold item is dirhams or dinars, then possession is by hand. If it is clothing (12), then its possession (13) is by moving it. If it is an animal, its possession is by walking it from its place. If it is of a nature that cannot be moved or transferred, then its possession
(7) This is how the author presented it, and the narration of this hadith with the following wording is in the following sources of authentication (takhrij) from Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), not from Abu Hurayra. However, al-Haythami mentioned in Majma' al-Zawa'id (4/99) that there is a hadith for Abu Hurayra in the Sahih prohibiting the sale of food until it is measured. See also Fath al-Bari (4/344, 345). (8) Meaning as a ta'liq (hanging report) in: The Chapter on Measurement by the Seller and the Giver, from the Book of Sales, Sahih al-Bukhari (3/88). It was also recorded by Imam Ahmad in: al-Musnad (1/75); al-Bayhaqi in: The Chapter on a Man Buying Food by Measure..., from the Book of Sales, al-Sunan al-Kubra (5/315, 316); and al-Daraqutni in: The Book of Sales, Sunan al-Daraqutni (3/8). (9) In: The Chapter on the Prohibition of Selling Food Before Taking Possession, from the Book of Trades (2/750). It was also recorded by al-Bayhaqi in: The Chapter on a Man Buying Food by Measure..., from the Book of Sales, al-Sunan al-Kubra (5/316); and al-Daraqutni, from the Book of Sales, Sunan al-Daraqutni (3/8). (10) The authentication for these narrations was provided on page 183. (11) Recorded by Ibn Majah in: The Chapter on Selling in Bulk (Juzaf), from the Book of Trades, Sunan Ibn Majah (2/750). (12) In MS M, there is an addition: "by hand". (13) In MS M: "its possession (feminine)".
