and he ruled between him and his opponent, he said: 'I have another claim,' he shall not hear it from him; because he has already prioritized him due to his precedence in one dispute, so he shall not prioritize him for another. He shall say to him: 'Sit until, when none of those present remain, I will look into your other claim, if it is possible.' If he finishes with everyone, and the last one says after his dispute has been resolved: 'I have another claim,' he shall not hear it from him until he hears the second claim of the first, then he hears his claim. If the defendant makes a claim against the plaintiff, he shall rule between them; because we only consider the first to arrive regarding the plaintiff, not the defendant. If the second [person] arrives first and makes a claim against the first plaintiff, or the first defendant, he shall rule between them. If two people, or a group, arrive at the same time, he shall draw lots between them and prioritize the one for whom the lot is drawn, to ensure equality of their rights. If their number is large, he writes their names on slips, leaves them before him, and stretches out his hand to take a slip one after another, and he prioritizes the holder of that slip according to what is determined.

Section: If travelers and residents appear, and the travelers are few such that prioritizing them does not harm the residents, he shall prioritize them; because they are on the verge of traveling and are occupied with what is necessary for their departure. Allah has lightened the burden of fasting and half the prayer for them as a relief, and delaying them causes them harm. If he wishes, he may set aside a day for them in which he clears their needs, or if he wishes, he may prioritize them without setting aside a specific day. If they are many such that prioritizing them would cause harm, then they and the residents are equal; because their prioritization while few was only to prevent the [specific harm] that affects them. If preventing their harm leads to harming others, they become equal. There is no disagreement regarding most of these manners, and that they are not a condition for the validity of the judgment. If he prioritizes the one who was preceded, or prioritizes the residents, or something similar, his judgment remains valid.

Section: If two litigants appear before him, if he wishes, he may say: 'Which of you is the plaintiff?' because they have appeared for that purpose. If he wishes, he may remain silent, and the person standing over him says: 'Which of you is the plaintiff?' If they are both silent