Is it permissible for the disadvantaged party in a competition to offer the advantaged party compensation to waive their advantage?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Racing and Archery

Book 58 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is not permissible for the disadvantaged party in a contest of skill (like archery) to offer the advantaged party compensation, such as one dinar, to discard their advantage. This is impermissible because the essential purpose of the contest is the ascertainment of skill, which such an arrangement prevents. However, if the initial contract is rescinded and a new contract is agreed upon, then the arrangement becomes permissible. Furthermore, if they do not rescind the contract but complete the full agreed-upon number of shots, and the advantaged party achieves the full result including the waived advantage, they are entitled to the prize, and the dinar must be returned if it was already taken.