Aḥmad said, in the narration of al-Marwazī, concerning a man who digs a well or constructs an overhanging latrine in the open area in front of his house: “No; this is the road belonging to the Muslims.” He was asked, “It is merely a well that is dug and then covered at its opening.” He replied, “Is it not in the road?”

The muḥtasib may prevent the removal of the dead from their graves when they have been buried on privately owned or lawfully available land, except when they have been buried on usurped land. In that case, the owner may compel whoever buried the deceased there to remove him. The same applies if the land has been reached by floodwater or dampness; then removal is permitted. He said, in the narration of Abū Ṭālib, concerning a dead person being taken from one grave to another: “If something in the grave is harming him, he may be moved; Ṭalḥah was moved.”

He said, in the narration of al-Marwazī, concerning people who had been buried in gardens and other unsuitable places: “Muʿādh exhumed his wife. She had been shrouded in worn-out cloth, so he shrouded her anew, and he saw no harm in moving her.”

He must prevent the castration of human beings and animals, and discipline anyone who does so. Aḥmad said, in the narration of Ḥarb—when he was asked about castrating livestock and sheep for fattening and other purposes—that he disliked it, unless there was fear that the animal would bite. He said, in the narration of al-Bartī, the judge—when asked about castrating horses and other animals—that he disliked it, except when there was fear of their biting.

He must prevent the dyeing of gray hair black, whether during jihad or otherwise. He said, in the narration of Isḥāq ibn Manṣūr: I asked Aḥmad, “Is dyeing with black disliked?” He replied, “Yes, by Allah, it is disliked.” He does not prevent dyeing with henna and katam. He said, in the narration of Ḥanbal: “Henna and katam are more beloved to me as dyes.” He also said: “I do not like anyone to alter his gray hair or imitate the People of the Book.”

He must prevent earning through soothsaying and frivolous entertainments, and discipline both the person who takes payment and the person who gives it.