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What is the ruling on selling 100 sheep from a flock of 300 sheep without specifying them, on the condition that the buyer chooses them after the sale is complete?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The issue of the validity of selling an unspecified sheep from a flock is summarized in several opinions: The sale is voidable (fasid) except for a few, with the option of designation for the buyer (Hanafis and one opinion among Hanbalis); or it is absolutely void (batil) (Shafi'is and Hanbalis); or it is valid for both a few and many, provided there is an option of designation (Imam Malik); or it is valid if the values are equal (Abu Ja'far and Abu al-Khattab from the Hanbalis). Ibn 'Uthaymin inclined towards permissibility if the values are close and there is no significant ignorance (jahalah) or gharar (deception/risk), based on custom and the principle that the original ruling for transactions is permissibility and validity.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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