What is the ruling on istisna’ (manufacturing contract) for a drawing that does not violate Sharia, such as drawings of camels, and is it permissible to pay part of the price in advance and the remainder upon delivery, with the condition that the artist takes the advance payment and foregoes the rest if the person who commissioned the drawing rejects it?

It is not permissible to draw animate beings, such as camels and other creatures, and therefore, earning a wage from it is not allowed. As for drawing inanimate objects, an istisna' (manufacturing) contract is permissible for it if it is regulated by known specifications. It is also permissible to pay part of the price in advance and defer the rest. The istisna' contract is binding on both parties if its conditions are met. If the manufactured item is delivered in accordance with the specifications mentioned in the contract, the mustasni' (commissioner) is obligated to accept it and pay the remaining price. However, if he finds it inconsistent with the agreed-upon specifications, he has the option to accept or reject it. As for the agreement that the down payment goes to the manufacturer if the mustasni' is not pleased with the manufactured item, this is a bay' al-urbun (earnest money sale). The majority of scholars hold it to be impermissible, while the Hanbalis consider it permissible.