What do the scholars mean by their statement concerning the object of sale: "that its benefit be permissible without needing it"?

The meaning of the scholars' statement that the sold item must be permissible for use without need is that its benefit must be absolutely permissible in all circumstances. This excludes what is permissible out of necessity or need, or in some situations but not others. For this reason, selling a dog is not permissible, even if its use is permitted out of necessity or need; the permissibility of its use due to necessity or need does not permit its sale. Others have held that if its use is permissible for need and necessity, then its sale and its price are lawful, such as the opinion of Abu Hanifa, Abu Yusuf, and a group of Malikis.