Pre-emption (shufah): does it apply to an absent person or not?

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The shafi' (holder of the right of pre-emption) has the greater right to exercise pre-emption over his neighbour. If the path of both is one and the shafi' is absent, he will be waited for."

Umar bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) ruled pre-emption in favour of a partner after ten years; his partner (associate) was absent.

Al-Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) held that a child and an absent person have the right of pre-emption.

Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) said that if a house is sold and its holder of pre-emption is absent or a minor, the absent one has the greater right of pre-emption until he returns, and the minor has this right until he grows up.

Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him) said that an absent person has no right of pre-emption.

Al-Harith also held this view.

Al-Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) and al-Hakam (may Allah have mercy on him) said that an absent person has the right of pre-emption.

Al-Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that an absent person has the right of pre-emption. He will be written to; if he accepts the pre-emption and sends the price of the house, well and good; otherwise he has no pre-emption. (His right will lapse.)