—whether with another bow, with an arrow other than this one, or by mounting someone other than this particular rider—the stipulation is void (1) and does not become binding upon him.
Second: The two bows must belong to the same type and the same class (2). Thus, a competition contract (3) is invalid between a hand-drawn bow and a foot-drawn bow, and—according to one view—between an Arab bow and a Persian bow. The alternate view allows a contest between different types so long as they do not differ in class. Both opinions are reported from the followers of al-Shafiʿi and Ahmad (5).
A similar disagreement concerns a race between a pure Arab mount and a hajīn (part-bred), or between a bukhtī camel and an Arab camel: there are two views among the companions of Ahmad as well. Permissibility is the choice of Judge Abū Yaʿlā and is the position of al-Shafiʿi (6).
Third: The distance and the finish line must be fixed in accordance with what is customary in archery matches and races, for the objective is to determine which of the two is the swifter. That can only be known if they share the same finish line (7); one animal may be slow at the outset and quick at the end, or the reverse, so a finish line that embraces both stages is required. Some horses are