The condition for the introduced third party (*Muḥallil*) in a competition involving horses, camels, or shooting
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Racing and Archery
Primary text
The horse of the *muḥallil* must be equivalent to the horses of the two primary competitors, or his camel equivalent to their camels, or his throwing equivalent to their throwing. If the *muḥallil's* horse is inferior, such as the primary competitors having fine horses and the *muḥallil's* being slow, it is gambling due to the explicit religious text and the fact that his success is expected, rendering his participation equivalent to non-participation.
Supporting text
If the *muḥallil's* horse is equivalent to the others, the competition is permissible. The basis for this ruling is the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated that introducing a horse between two others when one does not expect to win is not gambling, but if one expects to win, it is gambling, because in the latter case, one party is certain to gain or lose, whereas in the former, neither is certain.