What is the ruling on using captured spoils or reserved war horses when one is hired to perform service?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jihad
Primary text
It is not permissible for a person hired to perform service to ride an animal taken as spoils (Ghanimah) or a reserved war horse (faras habees), even if they were hired specifically for a task involving that type of animal. If they ride such an animal, the wage earned is deemed illicit (lam tatib lahu ajratuhu). The compensation received must be returned to the spoils if the animal was from the spoils, or used for the upkeep of the reserved war horse if the horse was reserved for Jihad.
Supporting text
Imam Ahmad stated there is no objection to a man hiring out his services while riding his own horse. However, he disliked accepting payment for a horse race (sibaqa al-rumuk) using a reserved war horse because it involves utilizing a stationary asset dedicated to Jihad for a personal benefit.