It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the sale of Habl al-Habla. This was a transaction prevalent in the days of ignorance, in which a man would buy a she-camel on the condition that when the she-camel gives birth, and then that offspring gives birth, only then will he pay the price.

Saeed bin Musayyib said: There is no riba in animals, but there are three invalid sales in animals: first, the sale of "mudamin" (the unborn animal in the womb), second, the sale of "malaqiḥ" (the semen in the back of the male), and third, the sale of "ḥabl al-ḥabala." "Mudamin" refers to the animal that is in the womb of the female. "Malaqiḥ" refers to what is in the back of the male. The explanation of "ḥabl al-ḥabala" has already been mentioned.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The sale of a specific animal when it is absent, whether near or far, is not valid. Even if the buyer has seen the animal and liked it, the reason is that the seller will take the price from the buyer and benefit, while the buyer does not know whether he will receive the animal in the same sound condition as he saw it or not. However, if a non-specific animal is sold by describing its characteristics, then there is no objection.

Malik said: That was only disliked because the seller benefits from the price while it is not known whether that commodity will be found as the buyer saw it or not. For that reason, it was disliked. But there is no harm in it if it is guaranteed and described.