Establishing and Rulings of Khiyar al-Majlis and Khiyar al-Shart in Sale
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
➊ Hadith of ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb from his father from his grandfather:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"البائع والمبتاع بالخيار حتى يتفرقا إلا أن تكون صفقة خيار ولا يحل له أن يفارقه خشية أن يستقيله"
"The seller and the buyer each have the right (of choice) until they part, except when the sale is conditional with an option. It is not permissible for him to depart hastily fearing that the other may request cancellation."
[Hasan: Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 1311, Abu Dawud: 3456, Kitab al-Buyu‘: Bab fi Khiyar al-Mutabay‘ayn, al-Tirmidhi: 1247, al-Nasa’i: 4483, Ahmad: 2/183, al-Daraqutni: 3/50, al-Bayhaqi: 5/271]
➋ In another narration:
"كل بيّعين لا بيع بينهما حتى يتفرقا إلا بيع الخيار"
"Every two parties to a sale have no binding sale between them until they separate, except a sale with an option."
[al-Bukhari: 2107, Abu Dawud: 3454, al-Nasa’i: 4465, al-Tirmidhi: 1245, Ibn Majah: 2181]
If one of the two contracting parties stipulates a condition for himself at the time of sale, his right of cancellation remains even after physical separation — until the stipulated period expires.
This is supported by the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised a man who was deceived in trade:
"Say at the time of sale: لا خلابة (‘No deception’)."
[al-Bukhari: 2117, Kitab al-Buyu‘: Bab ma yukrahu min al-khida‘ fi al-bay‘]
Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) explained: This narration from al-Bukhari supports the permissibility of Khiyar al-Shart, as indicated by the phrase "إلا بيع الخيار" (“except a sale with option”).
Preferred Opinion: The view of Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) appears strongest.
[Fiqh al-Sunnah: 3/241]
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
Right of Cancellation for the One Who Conditions an Option in the Sale
➊ Hadith of ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb from his father from his grandfather:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"البائع والمبتاع بالخيار حتى يتفرقا إلا أن تكون صفقة خيار ولا يحل له أن يفارقه خشية أن يستقيله"
"The seller and the buyer each have the right (of choice) until they part, except when the sale is conditional with an option. It is not permissible for him to depart hastily fearing that the other may request cancellation."
[Hasan: Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 1311, Abu Dawud: 3456, Kitab al-Buyu‘: Bab fi Khiyar al-Mutabay‘ayn, al-Tirmidhi: 1247, al-Nasa’i: 4483, Ahmad: 2/183, al-Daraqutni: 3/50, al-Bayhaqi: 5/271]
➋ In another narration:
"كل بيّعين لا بيع بينهما حتى يتفرقا إلا بيع الخيار"
"Every two parties to a sale have no binding sale between them until they separate, except a sale with an option."
[al-Bukhari: 2107, Abu Dawud: 3454, al-Nasa’i: 4465, al-Tirmidhi: 1245, Ibn Majah: 2181]
Meaning of Khiyar al-Shart (Option Condition)
If one of the two contracting parties stipulates a condition for himself at the time of sale, his right of cancellation remains even after physical separation — until the stipulated period expires.
Proof of Khiyar al-Shart from Another Hadith
This is supported by the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised a man who was deceived in trade:
"Say at the time of sale: لا خلابة (‘No deception’)."
[al-Bukhari: 2117, Kitab al-Buyu‘: Bab ma yukrahu min al-khida‘ fi al-bay‘]
Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) explained: This narration from al-Bukhari supports the permissibility of Khiyar al-Shart, as indicated by the phrase "إلا بيع الخيار" (“except a sale with option”).
Opinions of the Jurists
- Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله): It is permissible to stipulate a fixed option period at the time of sale, even if the period is long.
- Imam Malik (رحمه الله): The option period should be set according to necessity.
- Imam Abu Hanifah (رحمه الله) & Imam al-Shafi‘i (رحمه الله): The option period is three days or less.
Preferred Opinion: The view of Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) appears strongest.
[Fiqh al-Sunnah: 3/241]
