‘There is to be neither jalab nor janab (1) nor shighar in Islam.’

Al-Daraqutni’s Sunan (2) likewise reports—on the authority of ʿAli ibn Abi Talib—that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, ‘O ʿAli, I have placed this sabqa in your charge among the people.’ ʿAli then went out and summoned Suraqah ibn Malik, saying, ‘Suraqah, I have laid upon your neck (3) what the Prophet, peace be upon him, laid upon mine concerning this sabqa. When you reach the maytan’—Abu ʿAbd al-Rahman explained that the maytan is the point where the horses are released relative to the finish—‘line up the horses, then call out: “Is there anyone to adjust a bridle, to steady a lad, or to spread a jull?” If no one answers you, pronounce the takbir three times and, at the third, let them go; Allah, exalted is He, will grant success in the race to whomsoever of His creation He wills.’

ʿAli—may Allah be pleased with him—would sit at the end of the finish line, draw a line (4), station two men facing each other at its two ends (5)—the end of the line lying between the big toes of their feet—and the horses would pass between them. He would say, ‘If one of the two horses gains on the other by the tips of its ears, by an ear, or by the bridle strap, award the sabqa to it (6). If you are uncertain,