«اِلشَّرْطْ عَنْدِ الْحَرْتْ نُورْ»

The saying holds that terms stipulated openly at the start of a joint venture act as a guiding light later on, letting the parties see clearly, much as a lamp does. When sharecroppers or partners fix their arrangement while the field is still being worked, the division at harvest follows naturally and leaves little room for quarrel.

More broadly, it recommends settling expectations before effort and resources are committed. Clarity at the outset is presented as a kindness to everyone, since an explicit understanding prevents the suspicion and argument that tend to surface once there is something valuable to divide. A shorter related saying calls the condition itself light; the two are related, not interchangeable.

Use when urging partners, tenants, or collaborators to state obligations and shares plainly before work begins, especially where profits or produce are divided later. It suits gentle advice or a reminder after a dispute arises from vague arrangements.