Matin Research Journal

Matin Research Journal

Sale of Rights in Iranian Law and Imamiyyah Jurisprudence with Reference to Imam Khomeini's

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Hossein Taghipour Darzi Naghibi 1
Abolfazl Ghahary 2
Mehrdad Pakzad 3
Mahdi Taleghan Ghaffari 4
1 Assistant Professor of Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran.
3 PhD student in Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
4 PhD student in Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
10.22034/matin.2024.415293.2201
Abstract
This article examines the possibility of considering "rights" as the subject matter (mabīʿ) in a contract of sale (bayʿ). Despite Article 338 of the Iranian Civil Code defining bayʿ as "the transfer of a tangible object (ʿayn) for a known consideration," which is derived from the predominant view of Imamiyyah jurists, modern life demands and the development of intangible rights (such as goodwill, copyright, and shares) necessitate a re-evaluation of this definition. Using a descriptive-analytical method and examining jurisprudential and legal arguments, the article demonstrates that the classical juristic view limiting the subject matter of sale to "tangible objects" faces significant challenges. It is argued that bayʿ is an "approved matter" (amr-e emḍāʾī) and subject to customary practices (ʿurf-i ʿuqalāʾ), with no explicit restriction in the Qur'an or Sunnah requiring the subject matter to be a tangible object. In this context, the pioneering view of Imam Khomeini, who, relying on the customary nature of bayʿ and the exchange of "entitlements" (whether ownership or rights), validates the sale of rights, is elaborated as the preferred opinion. In positive law, although some jurists rely on the literal wording of Article 338, the enactment of subsequent specific laws (such as stock market and goodwill regulations) and the principle of permissibility (ibāḥah) allow for a broader interpretation. Consequently, the article refutes the claim of consensus (ijmāʿ) and critiques the arguments of opponents, accepting the validity of the sale of rights and proposing that the term "tangible object" (ʿayn) in Article 338 of the Civil Code be replaced with "property" (māl) to align with evolving customs and societal needs.
Keywords
Tangible objects (Aʿyān)
Sale of rights (Bayʿ al-Ḥaqq)
Rights (Ḥaqq)
Customary

Subjects

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