What is the ruling when one hunter wounds game (making it potentially lawful to eat if killed immediately) and a second hunter strikes it?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
If the first shot secures the game (by means of inflicting a lethal wound like severing the neck, piercing the flank, or heart), and the second shot is not immediately fatal (non-Ihwa'iyya), the game is lawful (halal). The second hunter owes no compensation unless their shot diminished the value, in which case compensation for the diminution is due, as the first shot rendered it legally slaughtered. If the second shot is also immediately fatal (Ihwa'iyya), the ruling follows the first shot according to Al-Qadi and his companions, which aligns with the position of Al-Shafi'i, meaning the game is lawful.
Supporting text
Contrary to the dominant view, the position attributed to Al-Kharqi suggests the game becomes unlawful (haram) if the second shot is also immediately fatal, paralleling the case where a partially slaughtered animal falls into water or is stepped upon before the soul fully departs.