It is also possible that the stipulation of precedence in every position we mentioned is not binding and does not affect the contract, because it has no effect on the skill of shooting or the frequency of hits; many archers prefer to go second rather than first, so the existence of such a condition is as if it were non-existent. When the one who begins shoots an arrow, the second one shoots an arrow likewise until they finish their shooting; because the unrestricted nature of a shooting contest necessitates alternating, and because that is closer to equality and more efficient for the shooting, as one of them can repair his bow and adjust his arrow while the other shoots. If they shoot [two arrows, two arrows], that is fine, and it is the custom among archers as we have observed. If they stipulate that one of them should shoot his 'rishq' (full quiver/turn), then the other shoots, or that one of them shoots a certain number, then the other shoots the same, it is permissible; because this does not affect the intended objective of the shooting contest, even if it contradicts the requirements of the unrestricted agreement, just as it is permissible to stipulate in a sale that which is not required by its unrestricted form, such as [specific] currency, the option of cancellation, or a deferred payment, since it does not prevent the attainment of the objective.
Section: If they stipulate that they shall shoot many 'arshaq' (turns/rounds), it is permissible; because if it is permissible for a few, it is permissible for many, provided that they are specified. Then, if they stipulate that they shall shoot from them each day an amount they agree upon, it is permissible; because the purpose in this is valid, for they, or one of them, may weaken from the entire duration of shooting despite their skill. If they leave the contract unrestricted, it is permissible, and it is interpreted as requiring immediate performance and fulfillment, like other contracts. Thus, they shoot from the beginning of the day until its end, unless an excuse arises that prevents them, such as illness, wind that disturbs the arrows, or a need for food, drink, prayer, or relieving oneself; because these are excluded by custom. Likewise, rain is excluded, for it slackens the bowstring and spoils the fletching. When night comes, they cease; because the custom is to cease shooting at night, so the contract is interpreted accordingly in the absence of a specific restriction, unless they stipulate shooting at night, in which case one of them may hold the other to that. If the night is moonlit and bright, that is sufficient; otherwise, they shoot by the light of a candle or a torch.
(34) In the original: "ʿan". (35) In A: "sahmayn sahmayn". (36) In M: "rashqan". (37) In M, an addition: "aw". (38) In the original, A: "fa-innahumā". (39) In B, M: "al-rashq".
ويَحْتَمِلُ أَنْ يكونَ اشْتراطُ البَداءَةِ فى كل موضِعٍ ذكَرْنا غيرَ لازمٍ، ولا يؤثِّرُ فى العَقْدِ؛ لأنَّه لا أثَرَ له فى تَجْوِيد رَمْى، ولا كثرةِ إصابَةٍ، كثيرٌ من الرُّماةِ يختارُ التَّأَخُّرَ على (٣٤) البِدالَةِ، فيكونُ وجودُ هذا الشَّرطِ كعَدَمِه. وإذا رَمَى البادِى بسَهْمٍ، رَمَى الثانِى بسَهْمٍ كذلك، حتى يَقْضِيَا رَمْيَهما؛ لأنَّ إطلاقَ المناضلَةِ يَقْتَضِى المُراسلَةَ، ولأنَّ ذلك أقرَبُ إلى التَّساوِى، وأنجَزُ للرمْى؛ لأنَّ أحَدَهما يُصْلِحُ قَوْسَه ويَعْدِلُ سَهْمَه، حتى يَرْمِىَ الآخَرُ. وإِنْ رَمَيا [بسَهْمَيْن سَهْمَيْن] (٣٥)، فحَسَنٌ، وهو العادَةُ بينَ الرُّماةِ فيما رَأَيْنا. وإِنْ اشْتَرَطا أَنْ يَرمِىَ أَحَدُهما رِشْقَه (٣٦)، ثُم يَرْمِىَ الآخَرُ، أو يَرْمِىَ أحدُهما عَدَدًا، ثم يَرْمِىَ الآخرُ مثلَه، جازَ؛ لأنَّ هذا لا يُوثرُ فى مَقْصودِ المناضلَةِ، وإِنْ خالَفَ مُقْتَضَى الإطْلاقِ، كما يجوزُ أَنْ يشْتَرِطَ فى البَيْعِ ما لا يَقْتَضِيه الإطْلاقُ من النقودِ والخِيارِ والأجَلِ، لَمَّا كان غيرَ مانِعٍ من المَقْصودٍ.
فصل: وإِنْ شَرَطَا أَنْ يَرْمِيَا أرْشاقًا كثيرةً، جاز؛ لأنَّه إذا جازَ على القليلِ، جازَ على الكثيرِ، ولابُدَّ أَنْ تكونَ معلومةً. ثم إنْ شَرَطا أَنْ يَرْمِيَا منها كلَّ يومٍ قَدْرًا اتَّفَقَا عليه، جازَ؛ لأنَّ الغرَضَ فى هذا صحيحٌ، فإنَّهما أو أحدَهما قد يضْعُفُ عن الرَّمْى كُلِّه مع حِذْقِه. وإِنْ أطلَقَا العقدَ، جازَ، وحُمِلَ على التَّعْجِيل والحُلولِ، كسائِرِ العقودِ، فيَرْمِيان من أوَّلِ النَّهارِ إلى آخرِه، إلَّا أَنْ يَعْرِضَ عُذْرٌ يَمْنَعُ من مَرَضى، أو ريحٍ (٣٧) تُشَوِّشُ السِّهامَ، أو لحاجَتِه إلى طعامٍ أو شَرابٍ أو صلاةٍ أو قَضاءِ حاجَةٍ؛ لأنَّ هذه مُسْتَثْناةٌ بالعُرْفِ، وكذلك المَطرُ فإنَّه (٣٨) يُرْخِى الوتَرَ، ويُفْسِدُ الرِّيشَ (٣٩)، وإذا جاءَ اللَّيْلُ تَرَكاه؛ لأنَّ العادَةَ تَرْكُ الرَّمْى بالليلِ، فحُمِلَ العقدُ عليه مع الإطْلاقِ، إلَّا أَنْ يشتَرِطَا الرَّمْىَ ليلًا، فيأخذَ أحدُهما صاحِبَه بذلك. فإنْ كانَت الليلةُ مقمِرَةً منيرَةً، اكْتُفِىَ بذلك، وإلَّا رَمَيَا فى ضَوْءِ شَمْعَةٍ
(٣٤) فى الأصل: "عن".(٣٥) فى أ: "سهمين سهمين".(٣٦) فى م: "رشقا".(٣٧) فى م زيادة: "أو".(٣٨) فى الأصل، أ: "فإنهما".(٣٩) فى ب، م: "الرشق".