The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—once hired a man to guide him along the route of his migration.

Ibn al-Mundhir reports a scholarly consensus on the permissibility of ijārah.

Need likewise calls for it, for the need for benefits is like the need for tangible property.

It is valid to hire a human being for a defined task—sewing a garment, building a wall, or showing the way—as established in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī from ʿĀʾishah regarding the migration: “The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and Abū Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, hired ʿAbd Allāh ibn Urayqiṭ al-Laythī, who was an expert guide (hādin kharīṭ).” A kharīṭ is one highly skilled in guiding.

It is impermissible to lease houses, shops, or premises for sinful purposes, such as selling wine or other forbidden items like tobacco or images, because that amounts to aiding in sin.

The lessee may sublet what he has rented to another who will take the benefit in his stead, for the benefit belongs to him and he may realize it personally or through an agent. This is on condition that the second lessee’s use of the benefit is equal to or less than that of the first, not more harmful. Thus, if he leases a house for residence, he may sublet it to someone else for residence or for something less than that, but he may not sublet it to one who will turn it into a factory or workshop.

A lease is not valid for acts of worship and devotion, such as the pilgrimage or the call to prayer.