Section
We have already noted the scholarly dispute (1) concerning an archery contest: is it a binding contract or merely a revocable one? The prevailing view in the school is that it is revocable. Accordingly, either contestant may annul it before shooting begins; they may both raise or lower the stakes; if it later becomes clear that one of them has a distinct advantage, that party alone may cancel; it is dissolved by the death of either contestant; and no pledge, surety, or majlis option attaches to it.

A second opinion treats it as a binding contract, like a lease, in which case the foregoing rulings are reversed.

If either contestant wishes to postpone the shooting and the reason is an impediment that affects both or one of them—such as pain, a strained tendon, and the like, or strong wind, darkness, or flooding—postponement is permissible, the contract is not thereby annulled, and the party with the excuse may rescind if he wishes.

If one of them asks for a delay without a valid excuse, then, according to the view that the contract is revocable, he may do so; but according to the view that it is binding, he may not.

Should a contestant, after reaching the firing line (2), busy himself unnecessarily—wiping the bow, the string, and the like—in order to cool his opponent’s determination or make him forget the target,