Children & Parenting

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَقِيمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ عَلَى الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ الْوَلَدِ وَ لَا تُقِيمُوهَا عَلَى الْأَخِ فِي الدَّيْنِ الضَّيْرَ[4] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الضَّيْرُ قَالَ إِذَا تَعَدَّى فِيهِ صَاحِبُ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي يَدَّعِيهِ قِبَلَهُ خِلَافَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ رَسُولُهُ ص وَ مَثَلُ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لِرَجُلٍ عَلَى آخَرَ دَيْنٌ وَ هُوَ مُعْسِرٌ وَ قَدْ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى بِ

I heard Abu Abdullah (as), say: "Establish testimony against parents and children, but do not establish it against a brother in religion out of harm (al-ḍayr)." I said: What is al-ḍayr? Imam (as) said: "It is when the claimant transgresses in demanding his right contrary to what Allah (swt), the Almighty, and His Messe

تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْوَاحِدَةِ وَ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْمَنْفُوسِ وَ الْعُذْرَةِ[2].

Hadith.3310 - And Ubaydullah bin Ali Al-Halabi asked Abu Abdullah (as), about the testimony of a midwife in childbirth. Imam (as) said: "The testimony of one woman is accepted, and so is the testimony of women regarding the newborn and the virginity (of a girl)."

إِلَيْهِ فِي رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ لَهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ وَ قَدْ جَعَلَ لَهَا سَيِّدُهَا شَيْئاً فِي حَيَاتِهِ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ ع لَهَا مَا آتَاهَا بِهِ سَيِّدُهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ مَعْرُوفٌ ذَلِكَ لَهَا[2] تُقْبَلُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَهَادَةُ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الْخَدَمِ غَيْرِ الْمُتَّهَمِينَ‌[3].

I wrote to Imam (as) regarding a man who died, leaving behind a bondwoman, and her master had given her something during his lifetime. Then the master died. Imam (as) wrote back: "She is entitled to what her master gave her during his lifetime, as it is recognized for her. The testimony of a man, a woman, and trustwort

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ لَيْسَ لَهَا بِمَحْرَمٍ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ وَرَاءِ السِّتْرِ وَ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَهَا إِذَا شَهِدَ عَدْلَانِ أَنَّهَا فُلَانَةُ بِنْتُ فُلَانٍ- الَّتِي تُشْهِدُكَ وَ هَذَا كَلَامُهَا أَوْ لَا تَجُوزُ الشَّهَادَةُ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى ت

Hadith.3347 - It is narrated that Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Saffar (may Allah (swt) be pleased with him) wrote to Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali (as) regarding a man who wanted to testify about a woman who was not his mahram (unmarriageable relative). He asked: "Is it permissible for him to testify about her from behind

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ لِي عَلَى نَخْلٍ نَحَلْتُهَا ابْنِي قَالَ مَا لَكَ وَلَدٌ سِوَاهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَنَحَلْتَهُمْ كَمَا نَحَلْتَهُ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَإِنَّا مَعَاشِرَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ لَا نَشْهَدُ عَلَى الْجَنَفِ‌[1].

Hadith.3349 - In a narration from Abdullah ibn Maymun from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), it is stated: "A man from the Ansar came to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah (swt), I wish for you to bear witness for me re

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ وَكَّلَتْ رَجُلًا بِأَنْ يُزَوِّجَهَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ فَقَبِلَ الْوَكَالَةَ فَأَشْهَدَتْ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ فَذَهَبَ الْوَكِيلُ فَزَوَّجَهَا ثُمَّ إِنَّهَا أَنْكَرَتْ ذَلِكَ الْوَكِيلَ وَ زَعَمَتْ أَنَّهَا عَزَلَتْهُ عَنِ الْوَكَالَةِ فَأَقَامَتْ شَاهِدَيْنِ أَنَّهَا عَزَلَتْهُ فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُ مَنْ قِبَلَكُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ يُنْظَرُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ عَزَلَ

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman who appointed a man as her agent to marry her to a man. The agent accepted the agency, and she testified to that in front of witnesses. The agent then proceeded and performed the marriage, but afterward, the woman denied the agent's authority and claimed that she had dismissed hi

ع إِنْ كَانَتْ وَكَّلَتْهُ بِقَبْضِ صَدَاقِهَا مِنْ زَوْجِهَا فَلَيْسَ لَهَا أَنْ تُطَالِبَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ وَكَّلَتْهُ فَلَهَا ذَلِكَ وَ يَرْجِعُ الزَّوْجُ عَلَى وَرَثَةِ أَبِيهَا بِذَلِكَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ حِينَئِذٍ صَبِيَّةً فِي حَجْرِهِ فَيَجُوزُ لِأَبِيهَا أَنْ يَقْبِضَ صَدَاقَهَا عَنْهَا وَ مَتَى طَلَّقَهَا قَبْلَ الدُّخُولِ بِهَا فَلِأَبِيهَا أَنْ يَعْفُوَ عَنْ بَعْضِ الصَّدَاقِ وَ يَأْخُذَ بَعْضاً[4]

Hadith.3387 - In the book "Nawadir" by Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr, from multiple narrators among our companions, from Abu Abdullah (as): Concerning a man who collected the dowry of his daughter from her husband and then passed away-can she demand her dowry from her husband, or is her father's collection considered her own

فَمَضَى يُونُسُ ع إِلَى صَدْرِ السَّفِينَةِ فَإِذَا الْحُوتُ فَاتِحٌ فَاهُ فَرَمَى نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ عِنْدَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ تِسْعَةُ بَنِينَ فَنَذَرَ فِي الْعَاشِرِ إِنْ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ غُلَاماً أَنْ يَذْبَحَهُ- فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يَذْبَحَهُ‌[3] وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي صُلْبِهِ-

Hadith.3388 - Narrated by Hammad ibn Isa, from someone who informed him, from Hariz, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): "The first person upon whom casting lots (Qur'ah) was performed was Maryam (Mary), the daughter of Imran. This is based on the saying of Allah (swt), the Exalted: 'And you were not w

فَإِنِ اشْتَرَى رَجُلٌ جَارِيَةً فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَاسْتَحَقَّهَا وَ قَدْ وَلَدَتْ مِنَ الْمُشْتَرِي رَدَّ الْجَارِيَةَ عَلَيْهِ وَ كَانَ لَهُ وَلَدُهَا بِقِيمَتِهِ‌[1].

Hadith.3392 - Al-Hakam ibn Miskin narrated from Mu'awiyah ibn Ammar, who said that Abu Abdillah (as) said: "If two or three men have intercourse with a bondwoman during the same period of purity, and she gives birth, and all of them claim the child, the ruler should draw lots among them. Whomever the lot falls upon, th

هَذَا يُقْرِعُ عَلَيْهِ الْإِمَامُ يَكْتُبُ عَلَى سَهْمٍ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى سَهْمٍ آخَرَ أَمَةُ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ الْإِمَامُ أَوِ الْمُقْرِعُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ‌ عالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَ الشَّهادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبادِكَ فِي ما كانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ‌ بَيِّنْ لَنَا أَمْرَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودِ حَتَّى يُوَرَّثَ مَا فَرَضْتَ لَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ ثُمَّ يَطْرَحُ السَّهْمَيْنِ

"I asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a newborn who has neither the features of males nor the features of females. Imam (as) said: 'The Imam draws lots for this case. He writes on one lot "Abdullah" (servant of Allah (swt)) and on another lot "Amatullah" (maidservant of Allah (swt)). Then the Imam or the one drawing the lot

لَهُ حِينَ قَدِمَ حَدِّثْنِي بِأَعْجَبِ مَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَانِي قَوْمٌ قَدْ تَبَايَعُوا جَارِيَةً فَوَطِئُوهَا جَمِيعاً فِي طُهْرٍ وَاحِدٍ فَوَلَدَتْ غُلَاماً فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ كُلُّهُمْ يَدَّعِي فِيهِ فَأَسْهَمْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ ثَلَاثَةً فَجَعَلْتُهُ لِلَّذِي خَرَجَ سَهْمُهُ وَ ضَمَّنْتُهُ نَصِيبَهُمْ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص لَيْسَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ تَقَارَعُوا وَ فَوَّضُوا أَمْرَهُمْ إِلَى اللّ

Hadith.3399 - Asim ibn Humayd narrated from Abu Basir, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): "The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) sent Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) to Yemen. When he returned, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said to him, 'Tell me about the most as

لَهُ مَنِ الَّذِي أُجْبَرُ عَلَى نَفَقَتِهِ قَالَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَ الْوَلَدُ وَ الزَّوْجَةُ[1] وَ الْوَارِثُ الصَّغِيرُ يَعْنِي الْأَخَ وَ ابْنَ الْأَخِ وَ غَيْرَهُ‌[2].

Hadith.3424 - Muhammad ibn Ali al-Halabi narrated from Abu Abdillah (as): I said to Imam (as): "Who are those whom I am obligated to provide for?" Imam (as) said: "The parents, the child, the wife, and the minor heir - meaning the brother, the brother's son, and others."

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَيُّوبَ الْكُوفِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ وَهْبٍ الْعَلَّافُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ النَّبَّالُ‌ عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ‌[1] عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ‌ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ مَنْزِلِ عَائِشَةَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ أَعْرَابِيٌّ وَ مَعَهُ نَاقَةٌ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ تَشْتَرِي هَذِهِ النَّاقَةَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص نَعَمْ بِكَمْ تَبِيعُهَا يَا أَعْرَابِيُّ فَقَالَ بِ

Abu Ayyub al-Kufi narrated to us, who said: Ishaq ibn Wahb al-Allaf narrated to us, who said: Abu Asim al-Nabbal narrated to us, from Ibn Jurayj, from al-Dahhak, from Ibn Abbas, who said: The Messenger of Allah (swt), peace be upon him and his family, came out from the house of Aisha, and a Bedouin approached him with

عَلِيٌّ ع هَذِهِ دِرْعُ طَلْحَةَ أُخِذَتْ غُلُولًا[2] يَوْمَ الْبَصْرَةِ فَقَالَ ابْنُ قُفْلٍ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اجْعَلْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ قَاضِيَكَ الَّذِي ارْتَضَيْتَهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَجَعَلَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهُ شُرَيْحاً فَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع هَذِهِ دِرْعُ طَلْحَةَ أُخِذَتْ غُلُولًا يَوْمَ الْبَصْرَةِ فَقَالَ شُرَيْحٌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَاتِ عَلَى مَا تَقُولُ بَيِّنَةً فَأَتَاهُ بِالْحَسَنِ بْنِ

Hadith.3428 - Muhammad ibn Qays narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) was in the Mosque of Kufa when Abdullah ibn Qufl al-Taymi passed by him, carrying the armor of Talha. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "This is Talha's armor, which was taken unlawfully on the day

إِذَا مَلَكَ الرَّجُلُ وَالِدَيْهِ أَوْ أُخْتَهُ أَوْ عَمَّتَهُ أَوْ خَالَتَهُ أَوِ ابْنَةَ أَخِيهِ أَوِ ابْنَةَ أُخْتِهِ وَ ذَكَرَ أَهْلَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ[3] مِنَ النِّسَاءِ عَتَقُوا جَمِيعاً وَ يَمْلِكُ الرَّجُلُ عَمَّهُ وَ ابْنَ

يُقَوَّمُ قِيمَةَ يَوْمٍ حَرَّرَ الْأَوَّلُ وَ أُمِرَ الْمُحَرَّرُ أَنْ يَسْعَى فِي نِصْفِهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يُحَرَّرْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَهُ.

Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, ruled regarding a slave who was jointly owned by two men. One of them freed his half while the slave was still a child, and the other retained ownership of his half. Imam (as) said: "The slave shall be valued based on his worth on the day the first owner freed his share, an

بِمَنْزِلَتِهَا إِنَّمَا جَعَلَ ذَلِكَ لِلْأَوَّلِ‌[1] وَ هُوَ فِي الْآخَرِ بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شَاءَ أَعْتَقَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَمْسَكَ.

Hadith.3444 - Hammad narrated from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a man who married his bondwoman to another man and stipulated that any child she bore would be free. Then her husband either divorced her or died, and she was married to another man. I asked: "What is the status of her child in this case?"

فِي رَجُلٍ أَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكَهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُزَوِّجَهُ ابْنَتَهُ وَ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ تَزَوَّجَ أَوْ تَسَرَّى عَلَيْهَا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ يَجُوزُ[4]

إِذَا كَانَ لِلرَّجُلِ مَمْلُوكٌ فَأَعْتَقَهُ وَ هُوَ يَعْلَمُ[3] أَنَّ لَهُ مَالًا وَ لَمْ يَكُنِ اسْتَثْنَى السَّيِّدُ الْمَالَ حِينَ أَعْتَقَهُ فَهُوَ لِلْعَبْدِ.

سَأَلَهُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[4] عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَعْتَقَ عَبْداً لَهُ وَ

Hadith.3451 - Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah asked him about a man who freed his slave, and the slave had wealth. Then the man who freed the slave passed away. Abd al-Rahman asked: "To whom does the wealth of the slave belong? Does it go to the one who freed the slave, or does it belong to the slave?" Imam (as) said: "

وَ سُئِلَ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع‌[5] عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ دَبَّرَتْ جَارِيَةً لَهَا فَوَلَدَتِ‌

Hadith.3459 - Abu Ibrahim (Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as)) was asked about a woman who made her bondwoman mudabbar (to be freed after her death). The bondwoman later gave birth to a precious daughter, and it was unclear whether the child was also mudabbar like her mother or not. Imam (as) said: "When the pregnancy

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَبَّرَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ تَاجِراً مُوسِراً[3] فَاشْتَرَى الْمُدَبَّرُ جَارِيَةً بِأَمْرِ مَوْلَاهُ فَوَلَدَتْ مِنْهُ أَوْلَاداً ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْمُدَبَّرَ مَاتَ قَبْلَ سَيِّدِهِ فَقَالَ أَرَى‌

I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), about a man who made his wealthy slave mudabbar (to be freed after his death). The mudabbar, with the permission of his master, bought a bondwoman who bore him children. Then the mudabbar died before his master. Imam (as) said: "I believe that all the property, po

قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌[1] الْمُعْتَقُ عَنْ دُبُرٍ هُوَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ مَا جَنَى هُوَ وَ الْمُكَاتَبُ وَ أُمُّ الْوَلَدِ فَالْمَوْلَى ضَامِنٌ لِجِنَايَتِهِمْ‌[2].

Hadith.3468 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "A mudabbar (a slave promised freedom after the owner's death) is counted as part of the one-third (of the estate). As for any offense committed by the mudabbar, the mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation), or the umm al-walad (a bondwoman who bore her master a

غُلَامِي حُرٌّ وَ عَلَيْهِ عُمَالَةُ[4] كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً قَالَ هُوَ حُرٌّ وَ عَلَيْهِ الْعُمَالَةُ قُلْتُ إِنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ حُرٌّ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ كَذَبَ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع أَعْتَقَ- أَبَا نَيْزَرَ وَ عِيَاضاً وَ رِيَاحاً[5] وَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُمَالَةُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ لَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ وَ كِسْوَتُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ فِي تِلْكَ السِّنِينَ‌[6].

I asked him about a man who said: "My slave is free, but he must work for me for such-and-such a number of years." Imam (as) said: "He is free, but he is obligated to fulfill the work." I said: "Ibn Abi Layla claims that he is free and is not obligated to do anything." Imam (as) said: "He has lied! Indeed, Imam Ali ibn

وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[3] فِي مُكَاتَبَةٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ قَدْ قَضَتْ عَامَّةَ مَا عَلَيْهَا[4] وَ قَدْ وَلَدَتْ وَلَداً فِي مُكَاتَبَتِهَا فَقَضَى فِي وَلَدِهَا أَنْ يُعْتَقَ مِنْهُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي عَتَقَ مِنْهَا وَ يُرَقَّ مِنْهُ مِثْلَ مَا رُقَّ مِنْهَا.

Hadith.3478 - Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), ruled regarding a mukatabah (a female slave under a contract of emancipation) who passed away after having paid most of what was required of her and had given birth to a child during her contract. Imam (as) ruled that the child should be freed in prop

يُؤَدِّي ابْنُهُ بَقِيَّةَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ يُعْتَقُ وَ يَرِثُ مَا بَقِيَ‌[7].

Hadith.3480 - Jamil ibn Darraj narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who dies after having paid part of his contract. He had a son from his bondwoman and left behind wealth. Imam (as) said: "His son shall pay the remaining amount of the contract, be freed, and i

لَهُمْ خُذُوا مَا بَقِيَ ضَرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً قَالَ يَأْخُذُونَ مَا بَقِيَ ثُمَّ يُعْتَقُ‌[5] وَ قَالَ فِي الْمُكَاتَبِ يُؤَدِّي بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ ابْناً وَ يَتْرُكُ مَالًا أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ قَالَ يُوَفَّى مَوَالِيَهُ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ مَا بَقِيَ فَلِوَلَدِهِ‌[6].

Hadith.3485 - Ali ibn al-Nu'man narrated from Abu al-Sabbah, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who pays half of his contract and still owes the remaining half. Then he offers his masters the remaining amount as a lump sum payment. Imam (as) said: "They may take the r

إِنْ كَانَ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ عَجَزَ فَهُوَ مَمْلُوكٌ رَجَعَ ابْنُهُ مَمْلُوكاً وَ الْجَارِيَةُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ أَدَّى ابْنُهُ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ وَرِثَ مَا بَقِيَ.

Hadith.3486 - Ibn Abi Umayr narrated from Abdullah ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who dies after having paid part of his contract and has a son from his bondwoman. Imam (as) said: "If it was stipulated in the contract that if he fails to complete the pa

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمُكَاتَبِ يَمُوتُ وَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَوُلْدُهُ مَمَالِيكُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ سَعَى وُلْدُهُ فِي مُكَاتَبَةِ أَبِيهِمْ وَ عَتَقُوا إِذَا أَدَّوْا.

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who dies and leaves behind children. Imam (as) said: "If it was stipulated in the contract that failure to complete the payments would result in returning to slavery, then his children are slaves. However, if no such condition was sti

وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي مُكَاتَبٍ اشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ وَلَاؤُهُ إِذَا أُعْتِقَ فَنَكَحَ وَلِيدَةً لِرَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَوَلَدَتْ لَهُ وَلَداً فَحُرِّرَ وَلَدُهُ‌[4] ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ الْمُكَاتَبُ فَوَرِثَهُ وَلَدُهُ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِي وَلَدِهِ مَنْ يَرِثُهُ فَأَلْحَقَ وَلَدَهُ‌

"If a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) stipulates with his master that there will be no wala' (loyalty) upon him, or if the master stipulates that the wala' of the mukatab will belong to him and the mukatab agrees, then the wala' belongs to the master." Imam (as) said: "Commander of the Faithful, peac

وَ قَضَى عَلِيٌّ ع‌[1] فِي مُكَاتَبَةٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ قَدْ قَضَتْ عَامَّةَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهَا فَوَلَدَتْ وَلَداً فِي مُكَاتَبَتِهَا فَقَضَى فِي وَلَدِهَا أَنَّهُ يَعْتِقُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَتَقَ مِنْهَا وَ يَرِقُّ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الَّذِي رَقَّ مِنْهَا.

Hadith.3489 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) ruled regarding a mukatabah (a female slave under a contract of emancipation) who passed away after having paid most of what was required of her and had given birth to a child during her contract. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) ruled that the child would be freed in proportion to

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى عَبْداً وَ لَهُ أَوْلَادٌ مِنِ امْرَأَةٍ حُرَّةٍ فَأَعْتَقَهُ قَالَ وَلَاءُ أَوْلَادِهِ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَهُ‌[3].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who purchased a slave that had children from a free woman, and then the man freed the slave. Imam (as) said: "The wala' (bond of loyalty) of his children belongs to the one who freed him."

لِي مَنْ هَذَا قُلْتُ مَوْلَانَا فَقَالَ أَعْتَقْتُمُوهُ أَوْ أَبَاهُ فَقُلْتُ بَلْ أَبَاهُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا مَوْلَاكَ هَذَا أَخُوكَ وَ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ‌[1] وَ إِنَّمَا الْمَوْلَى الَّذِي جَرَتْ عَلَيْهِ النِّعْمَةُ فَإِذَا جَرَتْ عَلَى أَبِيهِ فَهُوَ أَخُوكَ وَ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ‌[2] قَالَ وَ سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ يَكُونُ لِيَ الْغُلَامُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذِهِ الْأُمُورِ الْمَكْرُوهَةِ فَأ

I entered upon Abu Abdullah (as), along with Ali ibn Abdul-Aziz. Imam (as) asked me: "Who is this?" I said: "Our mawla (freed servant)." Imam (as) said: "Did you free him or his father?" I said: "His father." Imam (as) said: "Then this is not your mawla; this is your brother and your cousin. A mawla is one upon whom th

الْمُعْتِقَ هُوَ الْمَوْلَى وَ الْوَلَدُ يَنْتَمِي إِلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ.

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ فَمَاتَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً فَانْطَلَقَ ابْنُهُ فَابْتَاعَ رَجُلًا مِنْ كَسْبِهِ فَأَعْتَقَهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَ إِنَّ الْمُعْتَقَ أَصَابَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ مَالًا ثُمَّ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَهُ لِمَنْ يَكُونُ مِيرَاثُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّقَبَةُ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَى أَبِيهِ فِي نَذْرٍ أَوْ شُكْرٍ أَوْ كَانَتْ وَاجِبَةً عَلَيْهِ‌[2] فَإِنَّ ال

I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), about a man who was obligated to free a slave but died before doing so. His son then purchased a slave with his own wealth and freed him on behalf of his father. Later, the freed slave acquired wealth and passed away, leaving an inheritance. I asked: "Who inherits

أَمَةٌ تُبَاعُ وَ تُورَثُ وَ تُوهَبُ وَ حَدُّهَا حَدُّ الْأَمَةِ[2].

I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), about Umm al-Walad (a female slave who bears a child for her master). Imam (as) said: "She is a slave. She can be sold, inherited, and gifted, and her legal ruling is the same as that of a slave."

لَا خِيَارَ لَهَا عَلَى الْعَبْدِ هِيَ مَمْلُوكَةٌ لِلْوَرَثَةِ[3].

Hadith.3508 - Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub narrated from Wahb ibn Abd Rabbih, from Abu Abdullah (as) regarding a man who married his Umm al-Walad (a female slave who bore him a child) to his slave, and then the master died. Imam (as) said: "She has no choice regarding the slave. She remains a slave belonging to the heirs."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ وَ لَهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ وَ لَهُ مِنْهَا وَلَدٌ أَ يَصْلُحُ لِلرَّجُلِ‌[4] أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا فَقَالَ أُخْبِرْتُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع- أَوْصَى فِي أُمَّهَاتِ الْأَوْلَادِ اللَّاتِي كَانَ يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِنَّ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْهُنَ‌[1] لَهَا وَلَدٌ فَهِيَ مِنْ نَصِيبِ وَلَدِهَا وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا وَلَدٌ فَهِيَ حُرَّةٌ وَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْهُنَّ لَهَا وَلَدٌ مِنْ ن

Hadith.3509 - In a narration from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from Al-Bazanti, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, he said: I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who dies and leaves behind an Umm al-Walad (a female slave who bore him a child) and has a child from her. Can another man marry her?

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَا تُجْبَرُ الْحُرَّةُ عَلَى رَضَاعِ الْوَلَدِ وَ تُجْبَرُ أُمُّ الْوَلَدِ.

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), or I heard him say: "A free woman is not compelled to breastfeed the child, but an Umm al-Walad (a female slave who bore her master a child) is compelled."

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع إِذَا مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ وَ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مَمْلُوكَةٌ اشْتَرَاهَا مِنْ مَالِهِ فَأَعْتَقَهَا ثُمَّ وَرَّثَهَا[4].

لَهُ أَسْأَلُكَ قَالَ سَلْ قُلْتُ لِمَ بَاعَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أُمَّهَاتِ الْأَوْلَادِ فَقَالَ فِي فَكَاكِ رِقَابِهِنَّ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً فَأَوْلَدَهَا ثُمَّ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ ثَمَنَهَا وَ لَمْ يَدَعْ مِنَ الْمَالِ مَا يُؤَدَّى عَنْهُ أُخِذَ وَلَدُهَا مِنْهَا وَ بِيعَتْ‌[6] وَ أُدِّيَ ثَمَنُهَا قُلْتُ فَتُبَاعُ فِيمَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ قَالَ لَا.

I said to him: "May I ask you a question?" Imam (as) replied: "Ask." I asked: "Why did Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, sell the mothers of children (Umm al-Walad)?" Imam (as) said: "To free them from slavery." I asked: "How was that?" Imam (as) said: "If a man purchased a bondwoman and she bore him a chil

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ تَرَكَ سُرِّيَّةً لَهَا وَلَدٌ أَوْ فِي بَطْنِهَا وَلَدٌ أَوْ لَا وَلَدَ لَهَا فَإِنْ كَانَ أَعْتَقَهَا رَبُّهَا عَتَقَتْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُعْتِقْهَا حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ فَقَدْ سَبَقَ فِيهَا كِتَابُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ أَحَقُ‌[1] قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا وَلَدٌ وَ تَرَكَ مَالًا تُجْعَلُ فِي نَصِيبِ وَلَدِهَا وَ يُمْسِكُهَا أَوْلِيَاءُ وَلَدِهَا حَتَّى ي

Hadith.3513 - Asim narrated from Muhammad ibn Qays, who narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), that Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, said: "Any man who leaves behind a concubine (surriyah) who has a child, or is pregnant with a child, or has no child, then if her master had freed her

هُمْ أَحْرَارٌ كُلُّهُمْ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِقَوْلِي لِلْعَاشِرِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ[5] فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ فِيهِمْ جَارِيَةً قَدْ وَقَعْتُ عَلَيْهَا وَ بِهَا حَمْلٌ قَالَ لَا أَ لَيْسَ وَلَدُهَا بِالَّذِي يُعْتِقُهَا إِذَا هَلَكَ سَيِّدُهَا صَارَتْ مِنْ نَصِيبِ وَلَدِهَا[6].

Hadith.3514 - Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Safwan ibn Yahya, who narrated from al-Walid ibn Hisham: "I came from Egypt with some slaves, and when I passed by the tax collector (al-'Ashir), he asked me about them. I said: 'They are all free.' When I arrived in Medina, I went to Abu al-Hasan (as), and informed him a

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يُعْتَقَ وَلَدُ الزِّنَا[2].

لَهُ جَارِيَةٌ لِي زَنَتْ أَبِيعُ وَلَدَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ أَحُجُّ بِثَمَنِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[4].

Hadith.3529 - It is narrated from Anbasa ibn Mus'ab that he said: "I said to Abu Abdullah (as): 'A bondwoman of mine committed adultery. Can I sell her child?' Imam (as) said: 'Yes.' I said: 'Can I perform Hajj with its price?' Imam (as) said: 'Yes.' "

نَعَمْ إِلَّا جَارِيَةً لَقِيطَةً فَإِنَّهَا لَا تُشْتَرَى‌[1].

"Abu Abdullah (as), was asked about a child born out of adultery-can he be bought, sold, or used for service? Imam (as) said: 'Yes, except for a foundling girl (abandoned by parents), as she cannot be bought.' "

الْمَنْبُوذُ حُرٌّ إِنْ شَاءَ جَعَلَ وَلَاءَهُ لِلَّذِينَ رَبَّوْهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لِغَيْرِهِمْ.

فِي رِوَايَةِ الْمُثَنَّى‌[2] عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ‌ إِنْ طَلَبَ الَّذِي رَبَّاهُ بِنَفَقَتِهِ وَ كَانَ مُوسِراً رَدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مُوسِراً كَانَ مَا أَنْفَقَ صَدَقَةً[3].

Hadith.3532 - In the narration of Al-Muthanna, from Abu Abdullah (as): "If the one who raised the abandoned child demands repayment for his expenses and he (the child) is financially capable, he must repay him. However, if he is not financially capable, then what was spent is considered charity."

حُرَّةٌ لَا تُشْتَرَى وَ لَا تُبَاعُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وُلِدَ مَمْلُوكٌ لَكَ مِنَ الزِّنَا فَأَمْسِكْ أَوْ بِعْ إِنْ أَحْبَبْتَ هُوَ مَمْلُوكٌ لَكَ.

Hadith.3533 - Zurarah narrates from one of the Imams (as), peace be upon them, that Imam (as) said regarding a foundling: "She is free and cannot be bought or sold. However, if a child is born to you from her through unlawful relations, then you may keep or sell the child if you wish, as he is your slave."

أَرَى أَنَّ جَمِيعَ مَا مَعَهَا لِلْوَرَثَةِ[5] قُلْتُ وَ لَا تُعْتَقُ مِنْ ثُلُثِ سَيِّدِهَا قَالَ لَا إِنَّهَا أَبَقَتْ عَاصِيَةً لِلَّهِ وَ لِسَيِّدِهَا فَأَبْطَلَ الْإِبَاقُ التَّدْبِيرَ[6].

Hadith.3537 - Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): I asked him about a bondwoman who was mudadbarah (promised freedom upon the master's death). She ran away from her master for several years and later returned after her master had died. She came back with children and consid