Which of the following two transactions is more correct and compliant with Islamic Sharia: purchasing beehives at a specified price, then paying for them from the project's profits and dividing the remainder, or taking beehives without valuation for their service and dividing the bees and their produce equally after an agreed-upon period?

If bees are sold for a known price, on the condition that the seller and buyer divide the bees and honey after the price is paid, this is impermissible. This is because it is a condition that contradicts the essence of a sales contract, which entails the transfer of ownership of the sold item to the buyer.

However, it is permissible to take bees from their owner to care for them for a known period, in exchange for a fractional share of them, and for the resulting honey to be divided between them according to their ownership of the bees. The growth (nāmāʾ) produced by an animal or bees becomes the property of both parties according to their ownership. To avoid disagreement, it is possible to agree that you will work with and care for the bees for a known period in exchange for a share of them. Then, the owner of the bees is paid their share and the growth pertaining to their share, and you take your share and its produce.