If he chooses to remain with the contract, and the lease is for work as a liability, he may do so, and whenever he is able to reach the camel-driver, he may demand it from him. If the contract is for a duration that expires during his flight, the contract is rescinded by that. If it is possible for him to establish the situation before a judge, and the contract is for a described object that is not specifically designated, the contract is not rescinded; he shall refer the matter to the judge, and establish the situation before him. The judge shall then examine: if he finds property belonging to the camel-driver, he shall hire [someone] on his behalf with it. If he finds no property for him, and it is possible to borrow on behalf of the camel-driver from the public treasury (bayt al-mal) or from others what he might hire [a replacement] with, he shall do so. If the judge hands the money to the lessee so that he may hire for himself with it, it is permissible according to the apparent [meaning] of Ahmad’s words. If he borrows on his behalf from the lessee the amount with which he hires [a replacement], it is permissible, and it becomes a debt in the liability of the camel-driver. If the contract is for a specifically designated mount, it is not permissible to substitute it, nor to hire another; because the contract is attached to its very self (ayn). Thus, the lessee is given the choice between rescinding [the contract] or remaining until he is able to reach him, at which point he may demand the work from him.
The Second Situation: If the camel-driver flees and leaves his camels, the lessee shall refer the matter to the judge. If he finds property belonging to the camel-driver, he shall hire with it someone to stand in the place of the camel-driver regarding spending on the camels, fastening them, guarding them, and doing what is incumbent upon the camel-driver to do. If he does not find for him anything other than the camels, and there is a surplus beyond the [cost of] the hire, he shall sell in the amount of that. If there is no surplus, or it is not possible to sell [any], the judge shall borrow on his behalf, as we have stated. If he takes a debt from the lessee and spends, it is permissible. If he gives permission to the lessee to spend from his own wealth according to what is customary, so that it becomes a debt upon the camel-driver, it is permissible; because this is a situation of necessity. If the camel-driver returns and they differ regarding what he spent, we examine: if the judge had estimated for him the amount he should spend, his statement is accepted regarding that amount, and he does not count anything in excess of it for him. If he had not estimated for him, his statement is accepted regarding the amount of the expenditure according to what is customary, because he is a trustee.
(20) Omitted from: The Original. (21) In the original: "yaktariy" (he hires). (22) Omitted from: B. Transcribed note. (23) Omitted from: The Original, M. (24) Omitted from: M.