What is the nature of the third type of shooting contest?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Racing and Archery
Primary text
The third type dictates that the winner is the one who achieves five hits out of twenty throws, regardless of the other's score, provided the other did not also achieve five hits. If both achieve five hits, or neither achieves five hits, there is no winner. This type shares the rule with Al-Muhata regarding the completion of throws: completion is required only if it yields a relevant outcome; otherwise, it is waived. If both reach five hits, there is no winner, and the contest ends. If they miss all sixteen throws, there is no winner, as the maximum potential gain (four hits for one) is insufficient to establish a lead.
Supporting text
Scholars disagree on whether the exact nature of the contest (Mubadara, Muhata, or Mufadalah) must be explicitly stipulated, as the intentions of archers vary. Abu Al-Khattab holds that stipulation is necessary to clarify the terms. The apparent view of Al-Qadi suggests that stipulation is not required, as the default connotation of Nidhal is Mubadara, meaning whoever preempts the agreed-upon condition (like five hits out of twenty) wins, provided the condition is met by one party.