Advance Payment for Buying Slaves and Animals

14. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Qutaybah al-’A‘sha’ who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, was asked, when I was present, by a man who said, ‘My brother comes from and goes to the mountains, milks sheep of known age for an appointed time; then he is given four years old in place of three years old.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is it with fine consent of his party?’ he replied, ‘Yes, it is so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”