Sunday, 5 April 2026 (17 Shawwal 1447 AH)

[If One Orders Another to Do Something and Promises to Pay Without Stating the Amount]

Date: 2026/02/14

Answered by: Mr. Allama Muhammad bin Abdullah Awad Al-Muayyidi

The Question

Question: A man said to another, “Do such-and-such, and I will pay you,” without mentioning how much he would pay. The requested act was done, and the man gave him some money; he was displeased, and a quarrel arose. What is required?

The Answer

Answer: If the two men did not come to an agreement or settlement on a specified amount, then the man must pay the other the customary wage (ujrat al-mithl): one looks at what work was done and pays according to it. This wage is defective [invalid], because the amount is unknown.
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.2