one of them surpasses his companion if they both hit it, unless they stipulate that. If they stipulate that each one of them should count his 'khasiq' (a shot that lands near the target) as two hits, it is permissible, because neither of them has surpassed his companion in anything; they have [thus] become equal.

Section: It is the Sunnah for them to have two targets at which they shoot, then they proceed to them, and take the arrows and shoot at the other; because this was the practice of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and it is narrated from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "Between the two targets is a garden from the gardens of Paradise." Ibrahim al-Taymi said: I saw Hudhayfah walking briskly between the two targets, saying: I am bringing it, [I am bringing it], in a garment. And the same is narrated from Ibn Umar. The 'hadaf' (target stand) is that upon which the 'gharad' (target) is mounted, whether it is a mound of dirt or a wall. It is narrated [that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)] used to walk briskly between the targets, laughing with one another, but when night came, they were monks. If they designate a single target, it is permissible; because the intended objective is achieved thereby, and it is the custom of the people of our era. It is essential in a shooting contest that one of them begins the shooting; because if they were to shoot together, it would lead to disagreement, and the one who hit would not be known. If the person arranging the contest is a third party, the one chosen by him from the two of them is given precedence. If he does not choose and they dispute it, lots are drawn between them. Whichever of them was entitled to precedence and the other hurried and shot before him, his arrow is not counted for him, whether he hit or missed. Once one of them begins in one round, the other begins in the second, to ensure equality between them. If they stipulate that one of them should have precedence in all rounds, it is not valid; because the basis of a shooting contest is on equality, and this is an inequality. If that is done without a condition, by their mutual agreement, it is permissible; because starting first has no effect on hitting or on the skill of shooting. If it is stipulated that each one of them should begin [alternating] from two consecutive rounds, it is permissible, due to their equality.