What is the ruling regarding an arrow hitting the intended spot when the target (Gharad) is moved by the wind?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Racing and Archery
Primary text
If the wind moves the target and the arrow strikes the spot where the target landed, the shot is counted for the archer if the condition for the match was for the shot to reach the target's resting place (Hawasil). This is based on the certainty that the arrow would have hit the target had it remained in its original place. This view is supported by the ruling concerning the target that was blown away. If the condition was that the arrow must stick into the target (Khawasiq), the ruling depends on the hardness of the target. If the target's hardness is similar to the target board (Hadf) and the arrow sticks into it, the shot is counted because it would have stuck had it remained in place. If it does not stick despite the equal hardness, the shot is not counted. If the target board is harder or softer than the original target, the shot is neither counted for nor against the archer because it is unknown whether it would have stuck in the original target.
Supporting text
The view of Abu al-Khattab states that if the condition was for the arrow to stick (Khawasiq), the shot is neither counted for nor against the archer because uncertainty exists about whether it would stick in the target if it were present. Furthermore, if the arrow lands in a place other than where the target was, it is counted against the archer as a mistake, unless they both agreed to shoot at the place where it flew to. The same ruling applies if the wind blows the target onto its face.