Manumission of Slaves

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 693.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave.” Said bin Marjana said that he narrated that Hadith to ‘Ali bin Al-Husain and he freed his slave for whom ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far had offered him ten thousand Dirhams or one-thousand Dinars.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 694.

Narated By Abu Dhar : I asked the Prophet, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause.” I then asked, “What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?” He replied, “The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master.” I said, “If I cannot afford to do that?” He said, “Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself.” I said, “If I cannot do that?” He said, “Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 695.

Narated By Asma’ bint Abu Bakr : The Prophet ordered us to free slaves at the time of solar eclipses.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 696.

Narated By Asma’ bint Abu Bakr : We were ordered to free slaves at the time of lunar eclipses.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 697.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : The Prophet said, “Whoever manumits a slave owned by two masters, should manumit him completely (not partially) if he is rich after having its price evaluated.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 698.

Narated By ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever frees his share of a common slave and he has sufficient money to free him completely, should let its price be estimated by a just man and give his partners the price of their shares and manumit the slave; otherwise (i.e. if he has not sufficient money) he manumits the slave partially.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 699.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever manumits his share of a slave, then it is essential for him to get that slave manumitted’ completely as long as he has the money to do so. If he has not sufficient money to pay the price of the other shares (after the price of the slave is evaluated justly), the manumitted manumits the slave partially in proportion to his share.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 700.

Narated By ‘Ubaidullah : As above (briefly).

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 701.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : The Prophet said, “He who manumits his share of a slave and has money sufficient to free the remaining portion of that slave’s price (justly estimated) then he should manumit him (by giving the rest of his price to the other co-owners).” Nafi’ added, “Otherwise the slave is partially free.” Aiyub is not sure whether the last statement was said by Nafi’ or it was a part of the Hadith.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 702.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : That he used to give his verdict regarding the male or female slaves owned by more than one master, one of whom may manumit his share of the slave. Ibn ‘Umar used to say in such a case, “The manumitted should manumit the slave completely if he has sufficient money to pay the rest of the price of that slave (which is to be justly estimated) and the other share-holders are to take the price of their shares and the slave is freed (released from slavery).” Ibn ‘Umar narrated this verdict from the Prophet.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 703.

Narated By Abu Huraira : That the Prophet said, “Whoever frees his portion of a (common) slave.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 704.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Whoever frees his portion of a common slave should free the slave completely by paying the rest of his price from his money if he has enough money; otherwise the price of the slave is to be estimated and the slave is to be helped to work without hardship till he pays the rest of his price.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 705.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Allah has accepted my invocation to forgive what whispers in the hearts of my followers, unless they put it to action or utter it.” (See Hadith No. 657 Vol. 8)

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 706.

Narated By ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab : The Prophet said, “The (reward of) deeds depend on intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he intends. So, whoever migrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his migration will be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever migrated for worldly benefits or for marrying a woman, then his migration will be for what he migrated for.” (See Hadith No. 1, Vol. 1)

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 707.

Narated By Qais : When Abu Huraira accompanied by his slave set out intending to embrace Islam they lost each other on the way. The slave then came while Abu Huraira was sitting with the Prophet. The Prophet said, “O Abu Huraira! Your slave has come back.” Abu Huraira said, “Indeed, I would like you to witness that I have manumitted him.” That happened at the time when Abu Huraira recited (the following poetic verse): ‘What a long tedious tiresome night! Nevertheless, it has delivered us From the land of Kufr (disbelief).

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 708.

Narated By Abu Huraira : On my way to the Prophet I was reciting: ‘What a long tedious tiresome night! Nevertheless, it has saved us From the land of Kufr (disbelief).’ I had a slave who ran away from me on the way. When I went to the Prophet and gave the pledge of allegiance for embracing Islam, the slave showed up while I was still with the Prophet who remarked, “O Abu Huraira! Here is your slave!” I said, “I manumit him for Allah’s Sake,” and so I freed him.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 709.

Narated By Qais : When Abu Huraira accompanied by his slave came intending to embrace Islam, they lost each other on the way. (When the slave showed up) Abu Huraira said (to the Prophet), “I make you witness that the slave is free for Allah’s Cause.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 710.

Narated By ‘Aisha : Utba bin Abi Waqqas authorized his brother Sad bin Abi Waqqas to take the son of the slave-girl of Zam’a into his custody, telling him that the boy was his own (illegal) son. When Allah’s Apostle went (to Mecca) at the time of the Conquest, Sad took the son of the slavegirl of Zam’a to Allah’s Apostle and also brought ‘Abu bin Zam’a with him and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! This is the son of my brother ‘Utba who authorized me to take him into my custody.” ‘Abu bin Zam’a said, “O Allah’s Apostle! He is my brother, the son of Zam’a’ slave-girl and he was born on his bed.” Allah’s Apostle looked at the son of the slave-girl of Zam’a and noticed much resemblance (to ‘Utba). Allah’s Apostle said, “It is for you, O ‘Abu bin Zam’a as he was born on the bed of your father.” Allah’s Apostle then told Sauda bint Zam’a to observe veil in the presence of the boy as he noticed the boy’s resemblance to ‘Utba and Sauda was the wife of the Prophet.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 711.

Narated By Jabir bin ‘Abdullah : A man amongst us declared that his slave would be freed after his death. The Prophet called for that slave and sold him. The slave died the same year.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 712.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : Allah’s Apostle forbade the selling or donating the Wala’ of a freed slave.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 713.

Narated By ‘Aisha : I bought Buraira but her masters put the condition that her Wala’ would be for them. I told the Prophet about it. He said (to me), “Manumit her as her Wala’ will be for the one who pays the price.” So, I manumitted her. The Prophet called Buraira and gave her the option of either staying with her husband or leaving him. She said, “Even if he gave me so much money, I would not stay with him,” and so she preferred her freedom to her husband.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 714.

Narated By Anas : Some men of the Ansar asked for the permission of Allah’s Apostle and said, “Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbas. The Prophet said (to them), “Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 715.

Narated By Hisham : My father told me that Hakim bin Hizam manumitted one-hundred slaves in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance and slaughtered one-hundred camels (and distributed them in charity). When he embraced Islam he again slaughtered one-hundred camels and manumitted one-hundred slaves. Hakim said, “I asked Allah’s Apostle, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! What do you think about some good deeds I used to practice in the prelslamic period of ignorance regarding them as deeds of righteousness?’ Allah’s Apostle said, “You have embraced Islam along with all those good deeds you did.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 716.

Narated By Marwan and Al-Miswar bin Makhrama : When the delegates of the tribe of Hawazin came to the Prophet and they requested him to return their properties and captives. The Prophet stood up and said to them, “I have other people with me in this matter (as you see) and the most beloved statement to me is the true one; you may choose either the properties or the prisoners as I have delayed their distribution.” The Prophet had waited for them for more than ten days since his arrival from Ta’if. So, when it became evident to them that the Prophet was not going to return them except one of the two, they said, “We choose our prisoners.” The Prophet got up amongst the people and glorified and praised Allah as He deserved and said, “Then after, these brethren of yours have come to us with repentance, and I see it logical to return them the captives. So, whoever amongst you likes to do that as a favor, then he can do it, and whoever of you likes to stick to his share till we recompense him from the very first war booty which Allah will give us, then he can do so (i.e. give up the present captives).” The people unanimously said, “We do that (return the captives) willingly.” The Prophet said, “We do not know which of you has agreed to it and which have not, so go back and let your leaders forward us your decision.” So, all the people then went back and discussed the matter with their leaders who returned and informed the Prophet that all the people had willingly given their consent to return the captives. This is what has reached us about the captives of Hawazin. Narrated Anas that ‘Abbas said to the Prophet, “I paid for my ransom and Aqil’s ransom.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 717.

Narated By Ibn Aun : I wrote a letter to Nafi and Nafi wrote in reply to my letter that the Prophet had suddenly attacked Bani Mustaliq without warning while they were heedless and their cattle were being watered at the places of water. Their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives; the Prophet got Juwairiya on that day. Nafi said that Ibn ‘Umar had told him the above narration and that Ibn ‘Umar was in that army.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 718.

Narated By Ibn Muhairiz : I saw Abu Said and asked him about coitus interruptus. Abu Said said, “We went with Allah’s Apostle, in the Ghazwa of Barli Al-Mustaliq and we captured some of the ‘Arabs as captives, and the long separation from our wives was pressing us hard and we wanted to practice coitus interruptus. We asked Allah’s Apostle (whether it was permissible). He said, “It is better for you not to do so. No soul, (that which Allah has) destined to exist, up to the Day of Resurrection, but will definitely come, into existence.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 719.

Narated By Abu Huraira : I have loved the people of the tribe of Bani Tamim ever since I heard, three things, Allah’s Apostle said about them. I heard him saying, These people (of the tribe of Bani Tamim) would stand firm against Ad-Dajjal.” When the Sadaqat (gifts of charity) from that tribe came, Allah’s Apostle said, “These are the Sadaqat (i.e. charitable gifts) of our folk.” ‘Aisha had a slave-girl from that tribe, and the Prophet said to ‘Aisha, “Manumit her as she is a descendant of Ishmael (the Prophet).”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 720.

Narated By Abu Musa : Allah’s Apostle said, “He who has a slave-girl and educates and treats her nicely and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 721.

Narated By Al-Ma’rur bin Suwaid : I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, “Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, ‘Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?’ He added, ‘Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one’s brethren under one’s control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job).”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 722.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : Allah’s Apostle said, “If a slave is honest and faithful to his master and worships his Lord (Allah) in a perfect manner, he will get a double reward.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 723.

Narated By Abu Musa Al-Ashari : The Prophet said, “He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any slave who observes Allah’s right and his master’s right will get a double reward.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 724.

Narated By Abu Huraira : Allah’s Apostle said, “A pious slave gets a double reward.” Abu Huraira added: By Him in Whose Hands my soul is but for Jihad (i.e. holy battles), Hajj, and my duty to serve my mother, I would have loved to die as a slave.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 725.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Lord in a perfect manner and serves his master sincerely.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 726.

Narated By ‘Abdullah : The Prophet said, “If a slave serves his Saiyid (i.e. master) sincerely and worships his Lord (Allah) perfectly, he will get a double reward.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 727.

Narated By Abu Musa : The Prophet said, “The Mamluk (slave) who worships his Lord in a perfect manner, and is dutiful, sincere and obedient to his Saiyid (master), will get a double reward.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 728.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “You should not say, ‘Feed your lord (Rabbaka), help your lord in performing ablution, or give water to your lord, but should say, ‘my master (e.g. Feed your master instead of lord etc.) (Saiyidi), or my guardian (Maulai), and one should not say, my slave (Abdi), or my girl-slave (Amati), but should say, my lad (Fatai), my lass (Fatati), and ‘my boy (Ghulami).”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 729.

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar : The Prophet said, “If one manumits his share of a common slave (Abd), and he has money sufficient to free the remaining portion of the price of the slave (justly estimated), then he should free the slave completely by paying the rest of his price; otherwise the slave is freed partly.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 730.

Narated By ‘Abdullah : Allah’s Apostle said, “Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges. The ruler who has authority over people, is a guardian and is responsible for them, a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is a guardian of her husband’s house and children and is responsible for them; a slave (‘Abu) is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it; so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 731.

Narated By Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid : The Prophet said, “If a slave-girl (Ama) commits illegal sexual intercourse, scourge her; if she does it again, scourge her again; if she repeats it, scourge her again.” The narrator added that on the third or the fourth offence, the Prophet said, “Sell her even for a hair rope.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 732.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “When your servant brings your meals to you then if he does not let him sit and share the meals, then he should at least give him a mouthful or two mouthfuls of that meal or a meal or two meals, as he has prepared it.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 733.

Narated By ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : That he heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charge; the ruler is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian in his family and responsible for his charges; a woman is a guardian of her husband’s house and responsible for her charges; and the servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for his charge.” I definitely heard the above from the Prophet and think that the Prophet also said, “A man is a guardian of his father’s property and responsible for his charges; so everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for his charges.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 734.

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “If somebody fights (or beats somebody) then he should avoid the face.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 735.

Narated By ‘Urwa : That ‘Aisha told him that Buraira came to seek her help in her writing of emancipation (for a certain sum) and that time she had not paid anything of it. ‘Aisha said to her, “Go back to your masters, and if they agree that I will pay the amount of your writing of emancipation and get your Wala’, I will do so.” Buraira informed her masters of that but they refused and said, “If she (i.e. ‘Aisha) is seeking Allah’s reward, then she can do so, but your Wala’ will be for us.” ‘Aisha mentioned that to Allah’s Apostle who said to her, “Buy and manumit her, as the Wala’ is for the liberator.” Allah’s Apostle then got up and said, “What about the people who stipulate conditions which are not present in Allah’s Laws? Whoever imposes conditions which are not present in Allah’s Laws, then those conditions will be invalid, even if he imposed these conditions a hundred times. Allah’s conditions (Laws) are the truth and are more solid.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 736.

Narated By ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : ‘Aisha wanted to buy a slave-girl in order to manumit her. The girl’s masters stipulated that her Wala’ would be for them. Allah’s Apostle said (to ‘Aisha), “What they stipulate should not stop you, for the Wala’ is for the liberator.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 737.

Narated By ‘Aisha : Buraira came (to ‘Aisha) and said, “I have made a contract of emancipation with my masters for nine Uqiyas (of gold) to be paid in yearly installments. Therefore, I seek your help.” ‘Aisha said, “If your masters agree, I will pay them the sum at once and free you on condition that your Wala’ will be for me.” Buraira went to her masters but they refused that offer. She (came back) and said, “I presented to them the offer but they refused, unless the Wala’ was for them.” Allah’s Apostle heard of that and asked me about it, and I told him about it. On that he said, “Buy and manumit her and stipulate that the Wala’ should be for you, as Wala’ is for the liberator.” ‘Aisha added, “Allah’s Apostle then got up amongst the people, Glorified and Praised Allah, and said, ‘Then after: What about some people who impose conditions which are not present in Allah’s Laws? So, any condition which is not present in Allah’s Laws is invalid even if they were one-hundred conditions. Allah’s ordinance is the truth, and Allah’s condition is stronger and more solid. Why do some men from you say, O so-and-so! manumit the slave but the Wala will be for me? Verily, the Wala is for the liberator.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 738.

Narated By Amra bint ‘AbdurRahman : Buraira went to ‘Aisha, the mother of the faithful believers to seek her help in her emancipation ‘Aisha said to her, “If your masters agree, I will pay them your price in a lump sum and manumit you.” Buraira mentioned that offer to her masters but they refused to sell her unless the Wala’ was for them. ‘Aisha told Allah’s Apostle about it. He said, “Buy and manumit her as the Wala’ is for the liberator.”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 046, Hadith Number 739.

Narated By ‘Abdul Wahid bin Aiman : I went to ‘Aisha and said, “I was the slave of Utba bin Abu Lahab. “Utba died and his sons became my masters who sold me to Ibn Abu Amr who manumitted me. The sons of ‘Utba stipulated that my Wala’ should be for them.” ‘Aisha said, “Buraira came to me and she was given the writing of emancipation by her masters and she asked me to buy and manumit her. I agreed to it, but Buraira told me that her masters would not sell her unless her Wala’ was for them.” ‘Aisha said, “I am not in need of that.” When the Prophet heard that, or he was told about it, he asked ‘Aisha about it. ‘Aisha mentioned what Buraira had told her. The Prophet said, “Buy and manumit her and let them stipulate whatever they like.” So, ‘Aisha bought and manumitted her and her masters stipulated that her Wala’ should be for them.” The Prophet;, said, “The Wala’ will be for the liberator even if they stipulated a hundred conditions.”



Our Lord! Forgive us our sins as well as those of our brethren who proceeded us in faith and let not our hearts entertain any unworthy thoughts or feelings against [any of] those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness and Most Merciful (59:10)


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