more enduring, and a qāriḥ (fully mature horse) is hardier than the rest; for that reason the Messenger of Allah ﷺ preferred the qurrāḥ (mature horses) for the finish line (1).

If the two contestants race without fixing a finish line—merely to see whose horse stops first—the agreement is invalid, because it leads to neither of them halting until his mount breaks down. At that point it becomes impossible to declare the other the winner, just as it would be if his opponent’s horse were to die or suffer a fracture.

Likewise (2), the shooting range must be known, either through direct observation or by measured pacing, for accuracy varies with distance.

The two may choose any finish line they mutually agree upon, unless they set it so far away that hitting the target is normally impossible—namely, anything beyond three hundred cubits. In that case the contract is void because the very purpose is lost (3). It has been said that no one ever shot four hundred cubits except ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir al-Juhanī, may Allah be pleased with him.

Such is the position of the companions of Aḥmad (4).

The Iraqi branch of al-Shāfiʿī’s followers (5) say: If the distance is two hundred and fifty cubits, the contest is valid; if it exceeds three hundred and fifty, it is invalid; and between those two limits there are two views (6).