EXAMPLES of Jaʿālah:

1- A person says, "Whoever finds my lost car will receive 1,000 riyals." 2. A person says, "Whoever builds this wall for me will receive a specified reward." 3. Announcements made by authorities offering rewards to those who assist in reporting criminals, such as drug traffickers and the like. 4. A company specialising in exploration is told: "If you discover any of natural resources, you will receive a certain amount of money or a share of what you find." 5. Certain forms of commercial brokerage, such as when one person tells another: "If you sell this product for me, you will receive a specified commission." 6. Prizes offered by charitable individuals/businesses. For instance, "Whoever memorises the Qur’an will receive a certain amount of money," or "Whoever memorises a portion of the Qur’an or a set number of hadiths will be rewarded." HOWEVER, this is allowed provided that participants do not pay any fee to enter the competition. If entry requires a financial contribution—such as purchasing a competition ticket—then it is not permissible, as it falls under gambling (maysir), even if the amount required is small. --------------- BENEFIT: Seven Differences Between Jaʿālah and Ijārah: 1st. Jaʿālah is a contract based on النتيجة (achieving a result), whereas ijārah is a contract based on العمل (performing a specific task). 2nd. In jaʿālah, it is not necessary to have prior knowledge of the work being performed, whereas in ijārah, the nature of the work must be clearly defined. 3rd. Jaʿālah does not require specifying the duration of the work, whereas ijārah requires a known timeframe. 4th. In jaālah, the worker is not obligated to complete the task, whereas in ijārah, the worker is contractually bound to perform the agreed-upon work. 5th. Jaʿālah does not require designating a specific worker, whereas in ijārah, the worker must be specified. 6th: The reward in Jaʿālah does not have to be specified, whereas in ijārah, the fee must be specified. EXAMPLE: If a person announces, "Whoever finds my lost wallet will receive a reward," but does not specify the amount. If the reward is unspecified, the person entitled to the reward—referred to by some jurists as the ʿāmil (worker)—deserves fair compensation (ujrat al-mithl) 7th: Jaʿālah is a non-binding contract, allowing either party to cancel it without the other's consent. Ijārah, on the other hand, is a binding contract, and neither party can terminate it without mutual agreement. This is why ambiguity in the nature of the work tolerated in jaʿālah but not in ijārah, because either party has the right to terminate it at any time. As a result, any uncertainty in the work does not lead to harmful consequences. ------------------ RULING Al-Ja‘ālah is a permissible contract, as indicated by the Āyah: ﴿وَلِمَن جَاءَ بِهِ حِمْلُ بَعِيرٍ وَأَنَا بِهِ نَعِيمٌ﴾ "And for whoever brings it, there will be a camel's load [as a reward], and I guarantee it." [Surat Yusuf, 12:72] Additionally, it is supported by the hadith of Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri (may Allāh be pleased with him), who narrated that: ((أن ناساً من أصحاب النبي ﷺ مروا بحي من أحياء العرب، فاستضافوهم، فلم يضيفوهم، فلدغ سيّد الحي، فقالوا للصحابة: هل فيكم من راق؟ قالوا: نعم، لكن لا نفعل إلا أن تجعلوا لنا جعلاً، فجعلوا لهم قطيع شياه، فرقاه رجلٌ منهم بفاتحة الكتاب فبرأ الرجل، فأتوهم بالشياه، فقالوا: لا نأخذها حتى نسأل رسول الله له، فلما رجعوا سألوه، فقال لهم: خذوا منهم، واضربوا لي معكم بسهم)) A group of the Prophet’s ﷺ companions passed by an Arab tribe. They sought hospitality, but the tribe refused. Soon after, the chief of the tribe was stung, and they asked the companions if anyone could treat him. The companions replied, "Yes, but we will only do so if you offer us compensation." They agreed to give them a flock of sheep. One of the companions recited Surah Al-Fatihah over the afflicted man, and he was cured.