An Arbiter’s Fee for His Effort, and Eating at the Homes of the Parties

Question

A dispute arose between Zayd and ‘Umar, and both accepted Bakr as the one to decide it (an arbiter, hakam). Bakr said: “I have one condition: if you both agree, then for deciding this dispute you will have to give me ten rupees.” Both agreed, but there was nothing in the condition about food and drink. Yet Bakr ate at the homes of both, or ate at the home of one of them. Is all this permissible for Bakr or not?

Answer

Taking the rupees as a fee for service and effort is correct. Eating at the home of one party is not right, as there is a trace of bribery in it. If he ate the food of both parties, it is correct.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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