897 - Issue: He said: "And whoever is hired for a specific task and then falls ill, someone else shall be appointed in his place to perform the work, and the wage is the responsibility of the ill person."

The entirety of this is that the hiring of a person is permissible, with no disagreement among scholars. Moses, peace be upon him, hired himself out for the grazing of sheep. The Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—and Abu Bakr hired a man to guide them along the path. The Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—mentioned a man who hired workers, each worker for a faraq (a unit of measure) of sorghum, and he said: "Your example and the example of the People of the Book is like a man who hired workers and said: 'Who will work for me from the morning until midday for one qirat each?' The Jews worked. Then he said: 'Who will work for me from midday until the afternoon for one qirat each?' The Christians worked. Then he said: 'Who will work for me from the afternoon until sunset for two qirats each?' You worked. Then the Jews and Christians became angry and said: 'We worked more and were paid less.' He replied: 'Have I wronged you in anything of your wage?' They said: 'No.' He said: 'That is my bounty which I give to whom I wish.'" Because it is permissible to utilize him while his person remains, his hiring is permissible, like houses. Then, his hiring falls into two categories: First, hiring him for a specific period to perform a specific task, such as Moses—peace be upon him—hiring himself out for eight years, and the hiring of the workers mentioned in the report. Second, hiring him for a specific task in the liability (dhimma), such as the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—and Abu Bakr hiring a guide to show them the path, or hiring a man to sew a shirt or build a wall. This varies.