Chapter on Hiring Riding Beasts, Pack Animals, and Ships

1. There is no objection to paying the hire with merchandise in a guaranteed lease for a fixed term when the agreement concerns an unspecified riding camel, beast, or ship. It is not permissible, however, if the very animal or vessel is individually designated.

2. If someone hires an animal for his own riding and then wishes to have another person—whose weight and manner of travel are comparable—ride it instead, two reports from Mālik exist. One prohibits this, while the other permits it; the permissive view is the one adopted in his school.

3. When a particular animal is leased and it dies before the lessee mounts it, the contract is dissolved and any rent already received must be returned. If the lessee has covered part of the route, settlement is made in proportion to the ease or difficulty of the section already travelled.

4. If a person hires a mount to reach a specific town but goes instead to another whose distance and terrain—whether easy or difficult—are similar, he bears no liability. If the alternative destination is markedly different, the liability rests with him on account of the animal.