Chapters on Legal Cases and Rulings

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَبَّرَ غُلَامَهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فِرَاراً مِنَ الدَّيْنِ قَالَ لَا تَدْبِيرَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ دَبَّرَهُ فِي صِحَّةٍ مِنْهُ وَ سَلَامَةٍ فَلَا سَبِيلَ لِلدُّيَّانِ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who made his slave mudabbar (to be freed after his death) while he was in debt, intending to escape from paying the debt. Imam (as) said: "There is no valid tadbir (declaration of delayed emancipation) in this case. However, if he made the tadbir while he was in good health and fr

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

إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ لَهُمْ مَالًا[4] قَالَ قُلْتُ‌ وَ آتُوهُمْ مِنْ مالِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي آتاكُمْ‌ قَالَ تَضَعُ عَنْهُ مِنْ نُجُومِهِ الَّتِي لَمْ تَكُنْ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَنْقُصَهُ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً وَ لَا تَزِيدُهُ فَوْقَ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ‌[5] فَقُلْتُ كَمْ قَالَ وَضَعَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِمَمْلُوكٍ لَهُ أَلْفاً مِنْ سِتَّةِ آلَافٍ.

Hadith.3469 - Muhammad ibn Sinan narrated from al-Ala' ibn al-Fudayl, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "Then write [a contract of emancipation] for them if you know any good in them" (Surah An-Nur 24:33). Imam (as) said: "If you know that they possess wealth." I aske

لَا يُرَدُّ فِي الرِّقِّ حَتَّى يَمْضِيَ لَهُ ثَلَاثُ سِنِينَ‌[1] وَ يُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ مِقْدَارُ مَا أَدَّى صَدْراً[2] فَإِذَا أَدَّى صَدْراً فَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَرُدُّوهُ فِي الرِّقِّ.

I asked him about a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who had a condition stipulated that if he failed to make payments, he would return to slavery. What if he failed before paying anything? Imam (as) said: "He does not return to slavery until three years have passed. Whatever portion he has already pa

يُؤَدَّى عَنْهُ مِنْ مَالِ الصَّدَقَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ فِي الرِّقابِ‌[3].

Hadith.3471 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who was unable to complete the payments of his contract, although he had already paid part of it. Imam (as) said: "The remaining amount should be paid on his behalf from the charity funds, as Allah (

بَعْدَ مَا كَاتَبَهُ هَبْ لِي بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِي وَ أُعَجِّلَ لَكَ مُكَاتَبَتِي أَ يَحِلُّ ذَلِكَ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ هِبَةً فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ إِذَا قَالَ تَحُطُّهُ عَنِّي وَ أُعَجِّلُ لَكَ فَلَا يَصْلُحُ‌[4].

Hadith.3472 - Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as), about a man who entered into a mukataba (a contract of emancipation) with his slave. After the contract, the slave said: "Forgive me part of my payments, and I will pay off the remainder early." Imam (as) said: "If it is given as a gift,

يَخْدُمُ الثَّانِي يَوْماً وَ يَخْدُمُ نَفْسَهُ يَوْماً[2] قُلْتُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ مَالًا قَالَ الْمَالُ بَيْنَهُمَا نِصْفَانِ بَيْنَ الَّذِي أَعْتَقَ وَ بَيْنَ الَّذِي أَمْسَكَ‌[3].

Hadith.3473 - Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (slave undera contract of emancipation) jointly owned by two partners, and one of them freed his share. Imam (as) said: "The slave serves the second partner one day and serves himself one day." I asked: "What if the slave dies a

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ وَ قَدْ كَانَ مَوْلَاهُ يَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ ضَرِيبَةً فَرَضَهَا عَلَيْهِ‌[4] فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ وَ رَضِيَ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ الْمَوْلَى فَأَصَابَ الْمَمْلُوكُ فِي تِجَارَتِهِ مَالًا سِوَى مَا كَانَ يُعْطِي مَوْلَاهُ مِنَ الضَّرِيبَةِ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَدَّى إِلَى سَيِّدِهِ مَا كَانَ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ فَمَا اكْتَسَبَ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَهُوَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ قَ

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who wanted to free his slave. The master had been taking an annual payment (tribute) from the slave and was satisfied with this arrangement. Meanwhile, the slave earned wealth from trade, in addition to paying the required tribute to his master. Abu Abdullah (as), said: "If the sl

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

الْمُسْلِمُونَ عِنْدَ شُرُوطِهِمْ.

Hadith.3476 - Al-Qasim ibn Burayd narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who had a condition stipulated that if he failed to fulfill the contract, he would return to slavery. Imam (as) said: "Muslims are boun

يَجُوزُ عَلَيْهِ مَا شَرَطْتَ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

Hadith.3477 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation). Imam (as) said: "What you have stipulated upon him is binding."

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

يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ لَا يَتَزَوَّجَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنٍ مِنْهُ إِنَّ لَهُمْ شَرْطَهُمْ‌[5].

Hadith.3479 - Hammad narrated from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) whose master stipulated that he should not marry without the master's permission until he fulfills his contract. Imam (as) said: "He should not marry without the master's permission, for

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

فَلْيُكَاتِبْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ وَ لَا يَمْنَعُهُ الْمُكَاتَبَةُ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَالٌ‌[1] فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَرْزُقُ الْعِبَادَ بَعْضَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَالْمُحْسِنُ مُعَانٌ‌[2].

Hadith.3481 - Sama'ah asked him about a slave whose master enters into a mukataba (a contract of emancipation) with him, knowing that the slave possesses neither a little nor much wealth. Imam (as) said: "Let him enter into the mukataba, even if the slave has to ask others for help. The lack of wealth should not preven

قَالَ ع‌[3] فِي رَجُلٍ مَلَكَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ‌[4] فَسَأَلَ صَاحِبَهُ الْمُكَاتَبَةَ أَ لَهُ أَنْ لَا يُكَاتِبَهُ إِلَّا عَلَى الْغَلَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[5].

Hadith.3482 - Imam (as) was asked about a man who owned a slave, and the slave requested a mukataba (a contract of emancipation). Is the master allowed to set the terms of the mukataba at a high price? Imam (as) said: "Yes."

يَأْخُذُهُ‌ مَوَالِيهِ بِشَرْطِهِمْ‌[1].

Hadith.3483 - Hammad narrated from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who enters into the contract with his masters, and they stipulate that if he fails to complete the payments, he will return to slavery, and whatever they have already received from him wi

لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ فِي مَالِهِ إِلَّا الْأَكْلَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ نِكَاحُهُ فَاسِدٌ مَرْدُودٌ قِيلَ فَإِنَّ سَيِّدَهُ عَلِمَ بِنِكَاحِهِ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئاً قَالَ إِذَا صَمَتَ حِينَ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَقَرَّ[3] قِيلَ فَإِنْ كَانَ الْمُكَاتَبُ أُعْتِقَ أَ فَتَرَى أَنْ يُجَدِّدَ نِكَاحَهُ أَوْ يَمْضِيَ عَلَى النِّكَاحِ الْأَوَّلِ قَالَ يَمْضِي عَلَى نِكَاحِهِ‌[4].

Hadith.3484 - Mu'awiyah ibn Wahb narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) who entered into the contract on behalf of himself and his wealth. He had a female slave and was under a condition that he should not marry. He then freed the female slave and married her. Im

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

شَرْطُ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ شَرْطِكَ‌[3].

Hadith.3490 - Umar, the companion of al-Karabis, narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a man who entered into a mukataba (a contract of emancipation) with his slave and stipulated that the slave's inheritance would belong to him (the master). This case was presented to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) , who invalidated

الْخَيْرُ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ يَكُونَ بِيَدِهِ عَمَلٌ يَكْتَسِبُ بِهِ أَوْ يَكُونَ لَهُ حِرْفَةٌ[4].

Hadith.3491 - Al-Ala' narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "Then write [a contract of emancipation] for them if you know any good in them" (Surah An-Nur 24:33). Imam (as) said: "The 'good' refers to bearing witness that there is no god

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَهُمْ شُرُوطُهُمْ وَ قَالَ ع يُنْتَظَرُ بِالْمُكَاتَبِ‌[6] ثَلَاثَةَ أَنْجُمٍ فَإِنْ هُوَ عَجَزَ رُدَّ رَقِيقاً.

Hadith.3492 - It is narrated from Al-Qasim ibn Sulayman, from Abu Abdullah (as): Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) used to allow a mukatab (a slave under a contract of emancipation) to continue working to pay off his contract, because at that time they did not stipulate that if he failed, he would return to slavery. Abu Abdu

سَمِعْتُ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ لَا يُكَاتِبْهُ عَلَى الَّذِي أَرَادَ أَنْ يُكَاتِبَهُ ثُمَّ يَزِيدُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَضَعُ عَنْهُ وَ لَكِنَّهُ يَضَعُ عَنْهُ مِمَّا نَوَى أَنْ يُكَاتِبَهُ عَلَيْهِ.

Hadith.3493 - He said: I asked him about the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "And give them from the wealth of Allah (swt) which He has given you" (Surah An-Nur 24:33). Imam (as) said: I heard my father, peace be upon him, say: "He should not set the amount for the mukataba (contract of emancipation) an

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ الْوَلَاءُ لُحْمَةٌ كَلُحْمَةِ النَّسَبِ- لَا تُبَاعُ وَ لَا تُوهَبُ‌[1].

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Wala' (the bond of loyalty) is like the bond of lineage; it cannot be sold or given away as a gift."

وَ قِيلَ لِلصَّادِقِ ع- لِمَ قُلْتُمْ مَوْلَى الرَّجُلِ مِنْهُ قَالَ لِأَنَّهُ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينِهِ‌[2] ثُمَّ فُرِّقَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَرَدَّهُ السَّبْيُ إِلَيْهِ فَعَطَفَ عَلَيْهِ مَا كَانَ فِيهِ مِنْهُ فَأَعْتَقَهُ فَلِذَلِكَ هُوَ مِنْهُ.

Hadith.3495 - It was said to Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as): "Why do you say that a man's mawla (freed slave) is considered to be from him?" Imam (as) said: "Because he was created from his clay, then they were separated, and captivity brought him back to him. So, he showed compassion for what was in him (the sh

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُعْتِقُ الرَّجُلَ فِي كَفَّارَةِ يَمِينٍ أَوْ ظِهَارٍ لِمَنْ يَكُونُ الْوَلَاءُ قَالَ لِلَّذِي أَعْتَقَ‌[3].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who frees another man as an expiation for breaking an oath or for zihar (a prohibited declaration regarding one's wife). Imam (as) said: "The wala' (bond of loyalty) belongs to the one who freed him."

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْوَلَاءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ‌[1] وَ صُدِّقَ عَلَى بَرِيرَةَ بِلَحْمٍ فَأَهْدَتْهُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَعَلَّقَتْهُ عَائِشَةُ وَ قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَا يَأْكُلُ الصَّدَقَةَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ اللَّحْمُ مُعَلَّقٌ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُ هَذَا اللَّحْمِ لَمْ يُطْبَخْ قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صُدِّقَ بِهِ عَلَى بَرِيرَةَ وَ أَنْتَ لَا تَأْكُلُ الصَّدَقَةَ فَقَالَ ص هُوَ لَهَا صَد

Hadith.3497 - It is narrated from Ubaydullah ibn Ali al-Halabi, from Abu Abdullah (as), who mentioned: Barirah was married to a husband while she was still a slave. Then Aisha bought her and freed her. The Messenger of Allah (swt), peace and blessings be upon him and his family, gave her the choice: if she wished, she

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

لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُ بَيْعُهُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَتَّخِذُهُ عَبْداً وَ هُوَ مَوْلَاهُ وَ أَخُوهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَ أَيُّهُمَا مَاتَ وَرِثَهُ صَاحِبُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَارِثٌ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْهُ‌[4].

Hadith.3500 - Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub narrated from Sama'ah, from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a man who owns a relative (of close kinship). Is it permissible for him to sell or enslave that relative? Imam (as) said: "It is neither permissible for him to sell nor to enslave him. He is his mawla (freed person) and his broth

الْمُعْتِقَ هُوَ الْمَوْلَى وَ الْوَلَدُ يَنْتَمِي إِلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ.

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يُعْتِقُ غُلَامَهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لَهُ اذْهَبْ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ لَيْسَ لِي مِنْ مِيرَاثِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا عَلَيَّ مِنْ جَرِيرَتِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ يُشْهِدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَاهِدَيْنِ‌[1].

Abu Abdullah (as), was asked about al-sa'ibah (a freed slave who is left without ties). Imam (as) said: "He is a man who frees his slave and then says to him, 'Go wherever you wish. I have no share in your inheritance, nor am I responsible for any liability on your behalf.' He must have two witnesses testify to this de

يَتَوَلَّى مَنْ شَاءَ وَ عَلَى مَنْ يَتَوَلَّى جَرِيرَتُهُ وَ لَهُ مِيرَاثُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ سَكَتَ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ وَ لَمْ يَتَوَلَّ أَحَداً قَالَ يُجْعَلُ مَالُهُ فِي بَيْتِ مَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

Hadith.3503 - It is narrated from Shu'ayb, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdullah (as), that he was asked about a slave who is freed as a sa'ibah (without any specific ties). Imam (as) said: "He may choose whomever he wishes to be his guardian. The one he chooses will be responsible for his liabilities and will inherit from

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ السَّائِبَةِ قَالَ انْظُرْ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَمَا كَانَ فِيهِ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ فَذَلِكَ يَا عَمَّارُ السَّائِبَةُ الَّتِي لَا وَلَاءَ لِأَحَدٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَمَا كَانَ وَلَاؤُهُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَهُوَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِرَسُولِهِ ص فَإِنَّ وَلَاءَهُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ جِنَايَتَهُ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ وَ مِيرَاثَهُ لَهُ.

I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), about al-sa'ibah (a freed slave without specific ties). Imam (as) said: "Look in the Qur'an. Wherever there is mention of the freeing of a slave, that, O Ammar, refers to the sa'ibah, who has no wala' (loyalty) to any Muslim except Allah (swt), the Mighty and Maje

لَا يَنْبَغِي وَ إِنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْتَحِلَّ ذَلِكَ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى يَكُونَ وَلَاؤُهُ لَهُ فَلْيَزِدْ هُوَ مَا يَشَاءُ[1] بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ زِيَادَةٌ مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي ثَمَنِ الْعَبْدِ يَسْتَحِلُّ بِهِ الْوَلَاءَ فَيَكُونُ وَلَاءُ الْعَبْدِ لَهُ.

I asked him about a slave who wants to purchase his freedom and secretly arranges for someone else to buy him. Is it permissible for the person acting on behalf of the slave to buy him entirely with the slave's own money and not inform the master that the purchase is being made with the slave's money? Imam (as) said: "

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ النَّاسَ كُلَّهُمْ أَحْرَارٌ إِلَّا مَنْ أَقَرَّ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بِالرِّقِّ وَ هُوَ مُدْرِكٌ مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَوْ أَمَةٍ وَ مَنْ شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِ شَاهِدَانِ بِالرِّقِّ صَغِيراً كَانَ أَوْ كَبِيراً.

"I heard Abu Abdullah (as) say: Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, used to say: 'Indeed, all people are free, except for the one who acknowledges servitude upon himself while being of sound understanding-whether he is a slave or a bondwoman-or the one upon whom two witnesses testify to his servitude, whether