as a known duration, it is also permissible, according to the apparent meaning of Ahmad's words, for his statement in the narration of Al-Athram: "And if it is for performing a task, it is permissible." Ahmad bin Sa'id narrated from him: "There is no harm in one leasing himself to a Dhimmi." This is general in both types of leases. Some of our companions (50) mentioned that the apparent meaning of Ahmad's words is to prohibit this, and pointed to what was narrated by Al-Athram, arguing that it is a contract that involves the confinement of a Muslim, resembling a sale. The correct view is what we have mentioned, and Ahmad's words actually indicate the opposite of what they said, for he limited the prohibition to leasing for service and permitted leasing for work. This case is a lease for work. It differs from a sale, as a sale involves establishing ownership over a Muslim, and it differs from a lease for service, because that entails humiliation.

Section: Ibrahim al-Harbi narrated from Ahmad that he was asked about a man who hires a rooster to wake him for the time of prayer: It is not permissible. This is because that depends on the action of the rooster, and it is impossible to extract that from it through beating or otherwise; it might crow, and it might not, and it might crow after the time has passed.

Section: The fourth category is acts of worship (qurab) whose performer is specifically required to be among the people of worship, meaning it is a condition that he be a Muslim, such as leading prayer (imamah), the call to prayer (adhan), Hajj, and teaching the Quran. Ahmad explicitly stated this, and it is the view of 'Ata', Al-Dahhak bin Qays, Abu Hanifah, and Al-Zuhri. Al-Zuhri and Ishaq disliked teaching the Quran for a fee. 'Abd Allah bin Shaqiq said: These loaves of bread which teachers take are illicit gain (suht). Among those who disliked the fee for teaching (51) when stipulated are: Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, Tawus, Al-Sha'bi, and Al-Nakha'i. There is another narration from Ahmad that it is permissible, which Abu al-Khattab mentioned. Abu Talib narrated from Ahmad that he said: "Teaching is more beloved to me than to act as an agent for these rulers, or to act as an agent for an ordinary man regarding a farm, or to borrow and trade, perhaps he will not be able to fulfill his debts and then meet Allah, the Exalted, with people's trusts; teaching is more beloved to me." This indicates that his prohibition of it in the place where he prohibits it is for karahah (dislike),