The esteemed scholars, distinguished leaders and imams of the religion—may Allah be pleased with them all—are requested to inform us of the virtues of archery and teaching it, and of what has been reported concerning someone who abandons it after learning it. Which is superior: shooting with a bow, thrusting with a spear, or striking with a sword? Does each have its own specialized body of knowledge and an appropriate setting for its use?

If a man teaches another archery, spear fighting, or other skills involving weapons of war and jihad in the cause of Allah Most High, and the pupil denies having been taught by him, moves to another teacher and affiliates himself with him, does he thereby incur sin?

If someone says to this pupil who has changed teachers, “Your blood is forfeit,” or, “You are to be killed,” does the speaker thereby incur sin?

If he goes further and says to him, “You are a foundling,” or, “You are a child of fornication,” does this constitute an accusation of unlawful sexual intercourse for which the speaker is liable to the prescribed punishment?

Is it lawful for the second teacher to accept this pupil and discipline him for disowning his teacher?

If the pupil who has changed teachers says, “I am affiliated with so-and-so as the one who instructed and trained me, and with so-and-so as the one who imparted knowledge and understanding to me,” is that permissible for him?

And is a beginner permitted to