What is the ruling if one hunter shot first, followed by another, and the game is found dead without knowing if the first shot secured it?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Hunting and Slaughter

Book 56 · Issue 7 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If one shot followed another, and the game is found dead without knowledge of whether the first shot rendered it secured, the game is lawful (halal) because the presumption is that it was not secured. Ownership is shared between the two hunters because both possess hands upon it.

Supporting text

If each hunter claims that they were the one who secured it and the other one killed it, the game becomes unlawful (haram) because they both agreed upon the act rendering it prohibited. They must then swear oaths to settle the compensation.