the property and hand it over, if this cannot be done without allowing him out. In short, he may not be punished by imprisonment when he has not neglected his obligation; precautions may, however, be taken by keeping watch over him.

He was asked:

About a contractor whose agreement provided that people’s animals would be lodged at the al-Barāh inn, and who collected a fixed charge for their lodging and fodder, but then increased that charge.

He replied:

Neither the prophetic Sharia nor the sultan’s administrative regulations permit the contractor to alter the established arrangement or impose charges on people that the authorities had not previously prescribed. Rather, he must be [restrained] from doing so, punished for it, and required to return whatever money he has taken from people without authorization.

As for the ruling of the Sharia, an animal’s owner may lodge wherever he wishes, provided this entails no harm prohibited by the Sharia, and may feed the animal himself. He must not be compelled to rent accommodation for it or purchase anything from any particular person. Even if he is compelled to do so, he may not be charged more than the fair market price. Taking the excess is like taking meat from a pig that has died of itself: it is forbidden on two counts. And Allah knows best.