Chapter on the Contract of Manumission (mukataba)

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 3|Book 1|Chapter 48

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Volume 3, Book 1, Chapter 48

Chapter on the Contract of Manumission (mukataba)
25 Aḥadīth
Ḥadīth 1

3469 - وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ عَنِ اَلْعَلاَءِ بْنِ اَلْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: ۝ فَكٰاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْراً ۝ قَالَ "إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ لَهُمْ مَالاً " قَالَ قُلْتُ ۝ وَ آتُوهُمْ مِنْ مٰالِ اَللّٰهِ اَلَّذِي آتٰاكُمْ ۝ قَالَ "تَضَعُ عَنْهُ مِنْ نُجُومِهِ اَلَّتِي لَمْ تَكُنْ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَنْقُصَهُ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً وَ لاَ تَزِيدُهُ فَوْقَ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ" فَقُلْتُ كَمْ قَالَ "وَضَعَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ لِمَمْلُوكٍ لَهُ أَلْفاً مِنْ سِتَّةِ آلاَفٍ".

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 asked about the verse: 'And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you,' (Surah An-Nur 24:33). Imam (as) said: "You reduce for them from their installments what you did not initially intend to reduce, and do not increase it beyond what you originally intended." I asked: "How much?" Imam (as) said: "Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), reduced one thousand out of six thousand for one of his slaves."

Ḥadīth 2

3470 - وَ رَوَى عَمْرُو بْنُ شِمْرٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ : سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يُشْتَرَطُ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ عَجَزَ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ فِي اَلرِّقِّ فَعَجَزَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ شَيْئاً قَالَ "لاَ يُرَدُّ فِي اَلرِّقِّ حَتَّى يَمْضِيَ لَهُ ثَلاَثُ سِنِينَ وَ يُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ مِقْدَارُ مَا أَدَّى صَدْراً فَإِذَا أَدَّى صَدْراً فَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَرُدُّوهُ فِي اَلرِّقِّ".

Hadith.3470 - Amr ibn Shimr narrated from Jabir, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: 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 paid counts toward his emancipation. If he has made partial payments, they cannot return him to slavery."

Ḥadīth 3

3471 - وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ مُكَاتَبٍ عَجَزَ عَنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ قَدْ أَدَّى بَعْضَهَا قَالَ "يُؤَدَّى عَنْهُ مِنْ مَالِ اَلصَّدَقَةِ إِنَّ اَللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ: ۝ وَ فِي اَلرِّقٰابِ ۝ ".

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 (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, says in His (swt) Book: 'and for freeing slaves' (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60)."

Ḥadīth 4

3472 - وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ أَخَاهُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ : عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَاتَبَ مَمْلُوكَهُ فَقَالَ بَعْدَ مَا كَاتَبَهُ هَبْ لِي بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِي وَ أُعَجِّلَ لَكَ مُكَاتَبَتِي أَ يَحِلُّ ذَلِكَ قَالَ "إِنْ كَانَ هِبَةً فَلاَ بَأْسَ وَ إِذَا قَالَ تَحُطُّهُ عَنِّي وَ أُعَجِّلُ لَكَ فَلاَ يَصْلُحُ".

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, then there is no harm. But if he says, 'Reduce my payment in exchange for early payment,' then it is not permissible."

Ḥadīth 5

3473 - وَ رَوَى عَمَّارُ بْنُ مُوسَى اَلسَّابَاطِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي مُكَاتَبٍ بَيْنَ شَرِيكَيْنِ فَيُعْتِقُ أَحَدُهُمَا نَصِيبَهُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ اَلْخَادِمُ قَالَ "يَخْدُمُ اَلثَّانِي يَوْماً وَ يَخْدُمُ نَفْسَهُ يَوْماً" قُلْتُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ مَالاً قَالَ "اَلْمَالُ بَيْنَهُمَا نِصْفَانِ بَيْنَ اَلَّذِي أَعْتَقَ وَ بَيْنَ اَلَّذِي أَمْسَكَ".

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 and leaves behind wealth?" Imam (as) said: "The wealth is divided equally between the one who freed his share and the one who retained his share."

Ḥadīth 6

3474 - وَ رَوَى اِبْنُ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ وَ قَدْ كَانَ مَوْلاَهُ يَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ ضَرِيبَةً فَرَضَهَا عَلَيْهِ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ وَ رَضِيَ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ اَلْمَوْلَى فَأَصَابَ اَلْمَمْلُوكُ فِي تِجَارَتِهِ مَالاً سِوَى مَا كَانَ يُعْطِي مَوْلاَهُ مِنَ اَلضَّرِيبَةِ فَقَالَ "إِذَا أَدَّى إِلَى سَيِّدِهِ مَا كَانَ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ فَمَا اِكْتَسَبَ بَعْدَ اَلْفَرِيضَةِ فَهُوَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ" قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "أَ لَيْسَ قَدْ فَرَضَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى اَلْعِبَادِ فَرَائِضَ فَإِذَا أَدَّوْهَا إِلَيْهِ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُمْ عَمَّا سِوَاهَا" قُلْتُ لَهُ فَلِلْمَمْلُوكِ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ مِمَّا اِكْتَسَبَ وَ يُعْتَقُ بَعْدَ اَلْفَرِيضَةِ اَلَّتِي يُؤَدِّيهَا إِلَى سَيِّدِهِ قَالَ "نَعَمْ وَ أَجْرُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ" قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكاً مِمَّا كَانَ اِكْتَسَبَ سِوَى اَلْفَرِيضَةِ لِمَنْ يَكُونُ وَلاَءُ اَلْمُعْتَقِ فَقَالَ "يَذْهَبُ فَيَتَوَلَّى إِلَى مَنْ أَحَبَّ فَإِذَا ضَمِنَ جَرِيرَتَهُ وَ عَقْلَهُ كَانَ مَوْلاَهُ وَ وَرِثَهُ" قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ لَيْسَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ "اَلْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ" فَقَالَ "هَذَا سَائِبَةٌ لاَ يَكُونُ وَلاَؤُهُ لِعَبْدٍ مِثْلِهِ" قُلْتُ فَإِنْ ضَمِنَ اَلْعَبْدُ اَلَّذِي أَعْتَقَهُ جَرِيرَتَهُ وَ حَدَثَهُ يَلْزَمُهُ ذَلِكَ وَ يَكُونُ مَوْلاَهُ وَ يَرِثُهُ فَقَالَ "لاَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ لاَ يَرِثُ عَبْدٌ حُرّاً".

Hadith.3474 - Ibn Mahbub narrated from Umar ibn Yazid, who said: 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 slave has paid his master what was required, then whatever he earns after fulfilling this obligation belongs to the slave." Then Abu Abdullah (as), said: "Has Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, not prescribed obligations upon His servants? Once they fulfill them, He does not ask them about anything beyond those obligations." I asked: "Can the slave give charity from what he earned and be freed after fulfilling his obligation to his master?" Imam (as) said: "Yes, and he will be rewarded for it." I asked: "If the slave frees another slave from what he earned beyond the obligation, to whom does the loyalty (wala) of the freed slave belong?" Imam (as) said: "He may choose to align himself with whomever he wishes. If the person guarantees his liability and responsibility, then that person becomes his master and inherits from him." I asked: "Did not the Messenger of Allah (swt), peace be upon him and his family, say, 'Loyalty (wala) is for the one who emancipates'?" Imam (as) said: "This case involves a sa'ibah (freed without specific allegiance), and his loyalty cannot belong to another slave like him." I asked: "If the slave who freed him guarantees his liability and responsibility, does it bind him, and does he then become his master and inherit from him?" Imam (as) said: "No, that is not permissible. A slave cannot inherit from a free person."

Ḥadīth 7

3475 - وَ رَوَى أَبَانٌ عَنْ أَبِي اَلْعَبَّاسِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ : سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ غُلاَمِي حُرٌّ وَ عَلَيْهِ عُمَالَةُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً قَالَ "هُوَ حُرٌّ وَ عَلَيْهِ اَلْعُمَالَةُ " قُلْتُ إِنَّ اِبْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ حُرٌّ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ قَالَ "كَذَبَ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَعْتَقَ، أَبَا نَيْزَرَ وَ عِيَاضاً وَ رِيَاحاً وَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُمَالَةُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ لَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ وَ كِسْوَتُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ فِي تِلْكَ اَلسِّنِينَ".

Hadith.3475 - Aban narrated from Abu al-Abbas, from Abu Abdullah (as), who said: 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 Abi Talib (as) freed Abu Nayzar, 'Iyad, and Riah, while requiring them to work for such-and-such a number of years. They were provided with their sustenance and clothing in a reasonable manner during those years."

Ḥadīth 8

3476 - وَ رَوَى اَلْقَاسِمُ بْنُ بُرَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي مُكَاتَبٍ شُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ عَجَزَ أَنْ يُرَدَّ فِي اَلرِّقِّ قَالَ " اَلْمُسْلِمُونَ 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 bound by their conditions."

Ḥadīth 9

3477 - وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنِ اَلْمُكَاتَبِ فَقَالَ "يَجُوزُ عَلَيْهِ مَا شَرَطْتَ عَلَيْهِ ".

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."

Ḥadīth 10

3478 - وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي مُكَاتَبَةٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ قَدْ قَضَتْ عَامَّةَ مَا عَلَيْهَا وَ قَدْ وَلَدَتْ وَلَداً فِي مُكَاتَبَتِهَا فَقَضَى فِي وَلَدِهَا أَنْ يُعْتَقَ مِنْهُ مِثْلَ اَلَّذِي 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 proportion to the part of the mother that had been freed and remain in bondage in proportion to the part of the mother that was still in bondage.

Ḥadīth 11

3479 - وَ رَوَى حَمَّادٌ عَنِ اَلْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهِ مَوْلاَهُ أَنْ لاَ يَتَزَوَّجَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنٍ مِنْهُ حَتَّى يُؤَدِّيَ مُكَاتَبَتَهُ قَالَ "يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ لاَ يَتَزَوَّجَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنٍ مِنْهُ إِنَّ لَهُمْ شَرْطَهُمْ".

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 they have their condition."

Ḥadīth 12

3480 - وَ رَوَى جَمِيلُ بْنُ دَرَّاجٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي مُكَاتَبٍ يَمُوتُ وَ قَدْ أَدَّى بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ لَهُ اِبْنٌ مِنْ جَارِيَتِهِ وَ تَرَكَ مَالاً قَالَ "يُؤَدِّي اِبْنُهُ بَقِيَّةَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ يُعْتَقُ وَ يَرِثُ مَا بَقِيَ".

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 inherit what remains."

Ḥadīth 13

3481 - وَ سَأَلَهُ سَمَاعَةُ : عَنِ اَلْعَبْدِ يُكَاتِبُهُ مَوْلاَهُ وَ هُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنْ لَيْسَ لَهُ قَلِيلٌ وَ لاَ كَثِيرٌ قَالَ "فَلْيُكَاتِبْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَسْأَلُ اَلنَّاسَ وَ لاَ يَمْنَعُهُ اَلْمُكَاتَبَةُ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَإِنَّ اَللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَرْزُقُ اَلْعِبَادَ بَعْضَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَالْمُحْسِنُ مُعَانٌ ".

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 prevent the contract, for Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, provides sustenance to His servants through one another. The one who does good is supported."

Ḥadīth 14

3482 - وَ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي رَجُلٍ مَلَكَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ فَسَأَلَ صَاحِبَهُ اَلْمُكَاتَبَةَ أَ لَهُ أَنْ لاَ يُكَاتِبَهُ إِلاَّ عَلَى اَلْغَلاَءِ قَالَ "نَعَمْ".

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."

Ḥadīth 15

3483 - وَ رَوَى حَمَّادٌ عَنِ اَلْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يُكَاتَبُ وَ يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهِ مَوَالِيهِ أَنَّهُ إِنْ عَجَزَ فَهُوَ مَمْلُوكٌ وَ لَهُمْ مَا أَخَذُوا مِنْهُ قَالَ "يَأْخُذُهُ مَوَالِيهِ بِشَرْطِهِمْ".

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 will remain theirs. Imam (as) said: "His masters will take him back as a slave based on their condition."

Ḥadīth 16

3484 - وَ رَوَى مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ وَهْبٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ : فِي مَمْلُوكٍ كَاتَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ مَالِهِ وَ لَهُ أَمَةٌ وَ قَدْ شُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَتَزَوَّجَ فَأَعْتَقَ اَلْأَمَةَ وَ تَزَوَّجَهَا قَالَ "لاَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ فِي مَالِهِ إِلاَّ اَلْأَكْلَةَ مِنَ اَلطَّعَامِ وَ نِكَاحُهُ فَاسِدٌ مَرْدُودٌ" قِيلَ فَإِنَّ سَيِّدَهُ عَلِمَ بِنِكَاحِهِ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئاً قَالَ "إِذَا صَمَتَ حِينَ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَقَرَّ" قِيلَ فَإِنْ كَانَ اَلْمُكَاتَبُ أُعْتِقَ أَ فَتَرَى أَنْ يُجَدِّدَ نِكَاحَهُ أَوْ يَمْضِيَ عَلَى اَلنِّكَاحِ اَلْأَوَّلِ قَالَ "يَمْضِي عَلَى نِكَاحِهِ".

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. Imam (as) said: "He is not allowed to make changes to his wealth except for basic sustenance, and his marriage is invalid and rejected." It was asked: "What if his master knew about the marriage and remained silent without objecting?" Imam (as) said: "If the master remained silent after knowing, then he has approved it." It was further asked: "If the mukatab was later emancipated, should he renew the marriage contract or continue based on the initial contract?" Imam (as) said: "He may continue based on the initial marriage."

Ḥadīth 17

3485 - وَ رَوَى عَلِيُّ بْنُ اَلنُّعْمَانِ عَنْ أَبِي اَلصَّبَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يُؤَدِّي نِصْفَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ يَبْقَى عَلَيْهِ اَلنِّصْفُ ثُمَّ يَدْعُو مَوَالِيَهُ إِلَى بَقِيَّةِ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُمْ خُذُوا مَا بَقِيَ ضَرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً قَالَ "يَأْخُذُونَ مَا بَقِيَ ثُمَّ يُعْتَقُ" وَ قَالَ فِي اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يُؤَدِّي بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ اِبْناً وَ يَتْرُكُ مَالاً أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ قَالَ "يُوَفَّى مَوَالِيَهُ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ مَا بَقِيَ فَلِوَلَدِهِ".

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 remaining amount, and he becomes free." And regarding a mukatab who pays part of his contract, then dies, leaving behind a son and wealth greater than the amount owed for his contract: Imam (as) said: "The masters are paid the remaining balance of the contract, and whatever remains belongs to his son."

Ḥadīth 18

3486 - وَ رَوَى اِبْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي مُكَاتَبٍ يَمُوتُ وَ قَدْ أَدَّى بَعْضَ مُكَاتَبَتِهِ وَ لَهُ اِبْنٌ مِنْ جَارِيَتِهِ قَالَ "إِنْ كَانَ اُشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ عَجَزَ فَهُوَ مَمْلُوكٌ رَجَعَ اِبْنُهُ مَمْلُوكاً وَ اَلْجَارِيَةُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اُشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ أَدَّى اِبْنُهُ 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 payments, he would return to slavery, then his son and the bondwoman also return to slavery. However, if no such condition was stipulated, then his son must pay the remaining balance of the contract and inherit whatever remains."

Ḥadīth 19

3487 - وَ رَوَى جَمِيلُ بْنُ دَرَّاجٍ عَنْ مِهْزَمٍ قَالَ : سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنِ اَلْمُكَاتَبِ يَمُوتُ وَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ فَقَالَ "إِنْ كَانَ اُشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ فَوُلْدُهُ مَمَالِيكُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اُشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ سَعَى وُلْدُهُ فِي مُكَاتَبَةِ أَبِيهِمْ وَ عَتَقُوا إِذَا أَدَّوْا".

Hadith.3487 - Jamil ibn Darraj narrated from Mihzam, who said: 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 stipulated, then his children must work to pay off their father's contract, and they will be freed once they complete the payments."

Ḥadīth 20

3488 - وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ : "إِنِ اِشْتَرَطَ اَلْمَمْلُوكُ اَلْمُكَاتَبُ عَلَى مَوْلاَهُ أَنَّهُ لاَ وَلاَءَ لِأَحَدٍ عَلَيْهِ أَوِ اِشْتَرَطَ اَلسَّيِّدُ وَلاَءَ اَلْمُكَاتَبِ فَأَقَرَّ اَلْمُكَاتَبُ اَلَّذِي كُوتِبَ فَلَهُ وَلاَؤُهُ " قَالَ "وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي مُكَاتَبٍ اُشْتُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ وَلاَؤُهُ إِذَا أُعْتِقَ فَنَكَحَ وَلِيدَةً لِرَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَوَلَدَتْ لَهُ وَلَداً فَحُرِّرَ وَلَدُهُ ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ اَلْمُكَاتَبُ فَوَرِثَهُ وَلَدُهُ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِي وَلَدِهِ مَنْ يَرِثُهُ فَأَلْحَقَ وَلَدَهُ بِمَوَالِي أَبِيهِ".

Hadith.3488 - Muhammad ibn Qays narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: "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, peace be upon him, ruled regarding a mukatab who had a condition in his contract that his wala' would belong to his master upon his emancipation. The mukatab married a bondwoman belonging to another man, and she bore him a child. The child was then freed. Later, the mukatab died, and his child inherited from him. There was a dispute regarding who would inherit from the child. Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, ruled that the child should be affiliated with the master of his father."

Ḥadīth 21

3489 - وَ قَضَى عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ 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 the part of the mother that had been freed and would remain in bondage in proportion to the part of the mother that remained in bondage.

Ḥadīth 22

3490 - وَ رَوَى عُمَرُ صَاحِبُ اَلْكَرَابِيسِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : "فِي رَجُلٍ كَاتَبَ مَمْلُوكَهُ وَ اِشْتَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّ مِيرَاثَهُ لَهُ فَرُفِعَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَأَبْطَلَ شَرْطَهُ وَ قَالَ "شَرْطُ اَللَّهِ قَبْلَ شَرْطِكَ" ".

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 the condition and said: "The condition of Allah (swt) precedes your condition."

Ḥadīth 23

3491 - وَ رَوَى اَلْعَلاَءُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : فِي قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: ۝ فَكٰاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْراً ۝ قَالَ "اَلْخَيْرُ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ وَ يَكُونَ بِيَدِهِ عَمَلٌ يَكْتَسِبُ بِهِ أَوْ يَكُونَ لَهُ حِرْفَةٌ".

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 but Allah (swt) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (swt), and that the slave possesses a skill by which he can earn a livelihood or has a trade."

Ḥadīth 24

3492 - وَ رُوِيَ عَنِ اَلْقَاسِمِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : "أَنَّ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ كَانَ يَسْتَسْعِي اَلْمُكَاتَبَ لِأَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَشْتَرِطُونَ إِنْ عَجَزَ فَهُوَ رِقٌّ " وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "لَهُمْ شُرُوطُهُمْ " وَ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "يُنْتَظَرُ بِالْمُكَاتَبِ ثَلاَثَةَ 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 Abdullah (as), said: "They are bound by their conditions." Imam (as) also said: "A mukatab is given a period of three installments. If he fails to make the payments, he is returned to slavery."

Ḥadīth 25

3493 - قَالَ : وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: ۝ وَ آتُوهُمْ مِنْ مٰالِ اَللّٰهِ اَلَّذِي آتٰاكُمْ ۝ قَالَ "سَمِعْتُ أَبِي عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَقُولُ "لاَ يُكَاتِبْهُ عَلَى اَلَّذِي 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) and then increase it, only to reduce it later. Rather, he should reduce the amount from what he initially intended to stipulate in the contract."