concept of contract
1) Preface
•Generally contract forms when one person offers and another person accepts it. Contract is
basically a Legal agreement between the parties and a valid contract is enforceable by the law
according to rules prevail. As safety of property or ownership is a legal right of the peoples and
state plays his pivotal role in order to prevent transaction among people in shape of contract
2) Definition
•An agreement which is creating an Obligation and enforceable by law. The basic element of an
agreement is a mutual consent of the parties
3) Literal and legal meaning meaning
•Literally it means “Tie” and “Knot”. Legally it means any statement which legally binds
the parties to fulfill an obligation to do something or not to do something in legal way
4) Importance of contract according to Quran and Sunnah
Following verse of the Holy Quran shows the importance of the contract. Verse is as under
As Quran Says:
“O YE WHO BELIEVE FULFILL YOUR AGREEMENTS”
As Hadith Says:
“HE WHO HAS NO RESPECT FOR KEEPING PROMISES, DOES NOT POSSESS DEEN”
5) Formation of Contract
•Contract is a branch of the civil law. ... A contract arises when all the parties are agree
that there is an agreement. Formation of a contract generally requires an offer,
acceptance, consideration, and a mutual consent to be bound
6) Essentials of contract in Muhammadan Law
Following are the essentials of contract
1) Plurality of Parties
•Contract requires two parties at least because it is not possible without two parties
One person can’t create a valid contract
2) Capacity to enter into the contract
•Parties must have the capacity to enter into the contact
•They must be Sane,
•Must be Major,
•Must not lunatic etc.
3) Legal relation
•Contract must be establish legal relations between the parties. Contract must be
legally bounds the parties to fulfill their agreement conditions
4) Legal Contract
•Contract must be legal or lawful it should not not contrary to Islamic legal law as well
should not contrary to public policy
5) Free Consent
•Consent of the parties must be genuine it has not been taken by undue influence or
fraud or illegal pressure etc
6) Offer and acceptance
•Offer and acceptance are the major things of contract
•One party makes a contract and other party accepts it
Example:
A offer to Sell his car to B
B accepts his offer. It is a contract
i. Conditions for offer and acceptance
Following are conditions for offer and acceptance
a) Conformity of proposal and acceptance
•If there will be any conflict between offer and acceptance in this case it would not
be valid contract
Example:
A says to B. I have sold this car to you for 100. B replies I have accepted it for
8000. This is not a valid acceptance. There is not contract
b) Must be in same session
•Offer and acceptance should be in same time. Otherwise contract can’t be made
Example:
A says to B,I want to sell my house to you. B says nothing and leaves the place.
Offer comes to and ends, B can’t accept it later
c) Acceptance before the termination of offer
•Acceptance should be ,before the termination of offer. Otherwise contract
can’t be made
7) Mahall al Aqd (Subject matter of Contract)
•Mahall Al Aqd is the thing for which agreement has been made. It is same as the term
Consideration in English Law
Conditions of Mahall Al Aqd(Thing)
Following are the conditions of Mahall al Aqd
1) Thing must be available at the time of contract
2) Thing must be deliverable at the time of contract
3) Must be in notice of the parties
8) Fitness of Mahall
•If subject matter is not fit according to the prescription in this case contract will be
cancelled altogether
7) Preclude Fact
•Law of contract is more or less similar to Western law. The major factor is to establish a legal
relation between the parties. It is the most frequent mode of acquisition of ownership