SECTION ON JIHAD · 70 – THE RULING ON HAVING SOMEONE URGE ONE’S HORSE TO RUN FASTER IN A RACE
2581 – It is narrated from ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “In a race, there is to be no hiring of a man to urge the horse from behind, nor bringing along a spare horse.” In the narration of Yaḥyā ibn Khalaf among the transmitters, the word “in a race” is added. [402]
EXPLANATION
Jalab: While racing, hiring a man to shout and whip from behind one’s horse, seeking his help so that the horse overtakes the other. Janab: In a race, bringing along a spare horse beside one’s own, so that when the one being ridden becomes tired, one mounts the other. These practices are prohibited because they do not conform to the purpose of the race.
2582 – It is narrated from Qatāda (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Hiring a man to urge the horse from behind and bringing along a spare horse pertain to races in which there is a prize.