Then we say: Had we produced for you the like of your own reasoning in every question where you have stood apart from the leading imams (1), you would not even glance at it, let alone accept it from us. How, then, can you cite against us an argument that you yourselves refuse when we press it upon you?!

If you object, “And where is this deviation?”—let each faction look at the points where its preferred authority and those who imitate him have departed from the rest of the ummah. We have no need to prolong the discussion by listing them all; Allah is the One whose help and success we seek.

Section: Clarifying the views of the scholars on which competitive contests may lawfully involve staking a prize, which may not, and under what conditions staking is permitted.

It has already been stated that competitive contests fall into three categories (3):

• One category (4) is beloved and approved by Allah and His Messenger, aiding in the attainment of what He loves, such as racing with horses and camels and competition in archery with arrows (5).

• A second category is hateful and detested by Allah and His Messenger, leading to what Allah and His Messenger abhor—namely, contests that breed enmity and rancor and divert