from the goal—then line up the horses, and call out: 'Is there anyone who can fix a bridle, or carry a boy, or throw a saddle cloth?' If no one answers you, then say 'Allahu Akbar' three times, and release them at the third time, and Allah will grant success in the race to whomever He wishes from among His creation. Ali used to sit at the end of the goal, draw a line, and station two men facing each other at the two ends of the line, between the thumbs of their feet. The horses would pass between the two men, and he would say to them: 'If one of the two horses outstrips the other by the tip of its ears, or an ear, or a bridle, then declare the win for it. If you are in doubt, then divide their winning prize into two halves.' When you pair two horses, make the goal the goal of the smaller of the two. There shall be no 'jalab' (bringing a horse from a distance to compete), no 'janab' (keeping a led horse for the race), and no 'shighar' (a form of prohibited marriage, applied metaphorically to racing) in Islam. This etiquette which he mentioned in this report, regarding the beginning of the release and the end of the goal, is among the best that has been said on this matter, and it is narrated from the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), in a case that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded him with and delegated to him; thus, it should be followed and acted upon.

Section: It is a condition in a wager (rihan) that the two animals be of the same species. If they are of two different species, such as a horse and a camel, it is not permissible, because the camel is unlikely to outstrip the horse, so the purpose of this race is not achieved. If they are of two types, such as an Arabian horse and a packhorse, or a Bactrian camel and an Arabian camel, there are two views. One is that it is not valid, as mentioned by Abu al-Khattab, because the disparity between them in running is known by custom, so they are like two different species. The second is that it is valid, as mentioned by al-Qadi, and this is the school of al-Shafi'i; because they are of one species, and each of them may outstrip the other. The determinant is the species, and it has been met. It is sufficient for the likelihood of the wisdom, even if it is remote.

Chapters on Munadalah (Contest in Archery): This is racing in shooting with arrows. Munadalah is the verbal noun (masdar) of 'nadaltuhu'...