Does it, moreover, give preferential regard to the borrowed hanger-on—no more than a particle that derives its meaning from something else, a superfluous appendage within the construction—while ignoring the principal party, the very pillar(1) of the contract, the one whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) urged to mount(2) and to shoot?!

They said: In this arrangement lie two kinds of corruption:

1. First, it departs from the requirement of fairness that is inseparable from the perfect Sharia and turns wherever it turns; for the whole of the Law revolves around securing justice by every possible means. Allah the Exalted says, “We certainly sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that mankind might uphold justice” (Q 57:25). And He said to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “Say: I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down, and I have been commanded to judge justly between you” (Q 42:15).(3)

2. Second, it renders the obedient servant of Allah and His Messenger—the one eager for what the Prophet encouraged, who wishes to practice archery and riding as an aid for striving in Allah’s cause, and who puts up the stake so as to heighten desire and spur souls to what Allah and His Messenger love—in a worse position than this borrowed interloper. Indeed, the interloper is the one whose side is protected, whose interest is considered, whose share of safety is guaranteed, who is fortified in a tower of security, and for whom the path of safety is smoothed.