Validity of a contest where parties use different types of bows?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Racing and Archery
Primary text
If the contest involves one party using an Arabic bow and the other using a Persian bow, or if one uses a Zanbur bow and the other uses a Jarkh or Husban bow (which shoots short arrows through a channel like reed), there are two opinions. The opinion favoring validity, held by Al-Qadi and the Shafi'i school, holds that it is permissible because they are distinct types within the general category of archery, similar to contests involving different types of horses or camels.
Supporting text
The dissenting opinion holds that the contest is invalid because the different bows result in variance in accurate hitting, treating it similarly to a contest between two distinct species, just as is the case for horses and camels.