Chapter on Juʿālah (Reward Contracts)

Juʿālah means that a person pledges a specified sum to whoever performs a task for him—whether the task itself is specified or left open, and whether its time-frame is fixed or indefinite—such as returning a runaway slave, retrieving lost property, sewing, or building a wall. Whoever undertakes the task after learning of the offer becomes entitled to the reward, and if several people complete it together they divide the amount among themselves; while the work is in progress each may take a proportionate share corresponding to what he has completed.

Either party may cancel the agreement: if the worker withdraws, he deserves nothing; but if the offeror revokes it after the work has begun, the worker is entitled to a wage equal to the value of the work he has done. When the two sides differ over whether the offer was made or over the amount promised, the statement of the offeror is accepted.

Anyone who returns a found article or stray animal, or performs a service for another without an agreed reward, is not entitled to compensation—except that whoever brings back a runaway slave is owed one dinar or twelve dirhams and may also recover the expenses he incurred.