Chapter on Freedom

Al-'Abbas ibn 'Amir narrated from Aban, from Muhammad ibn al-Fadl al-Hashimi, who said: "I said to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, 'A man admitted that he is a slave.' Imam عليه السلام said: 'He will be held accountable based on what he said, or he must return the wealth.'"

Al-Sakooni narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, from his forefathers, peace be upon them, who said: The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family, said: "If a slave becomes blind, there is no servitude upon him; and if a slave becomes leprous, there is no servitude upon him."

Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "If a slave becomes blind, he is emancipated."

Hisham ibn Salim narrated from Abu Basir, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام: "Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, ruled regarding a person who mistreated his slave that the slave becomes free. There is no authority over him, and he is considered a 'sa'ibah' (free without obligation). He may choose to align himself with whomever he wishes, and if that person guarantees his liability, then he inherits from him."

It is narrated regarding a woman who cut off the breast of her female slave; "She (the slave) is free, and her mistress has no authority over her."

It is narrated by Talhah bin Zayd, from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, peace be upon him, regarding a man who freed part of his slave. Imam عليه السلام said: "He is completely free; there is no partner with Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty."

It is narrated by Al-Sakooni, from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, peace be upon him, regarding a man who freed a pregnant bondwoman but excluded what was in her womb. Imam عليه السلام said: "The bondwoman is free, and what is in her womb is also free because what is in her womb is a part of her."

It is narrated from Saif bin Amira, who said: "I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, 'Is it permissible for a Muslim to free a slave who is a polytheist?'" Imam عليه السلام said: "No."

It is narrated by Abu Al-Bakhtari from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "It is not permissible in emancipation (freeing a slave) for the blind, the one-eyed, or the crippled. However, it is permissible for the one with a paralyzed hand or the lame."

It is narrated from Ali bin Ja'far from his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, who said: "I asked him about a man who is obligated to free a slave and intends to emancipate one. Which is better-to free an old man or a young, healthy man?" Imam عليه السلام replied: 'Free the one who is more self-sufficient. The old man is better than the young, healthy (strong) man.' "

It is narrated from Ahmad bin Hilal, who said: "I wrote to Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, stating that I was obligated to free a slave, but my slave had escaped, and I did not know where he was. Would his emancipation suffice for fulfilling my obligation?" Imam عليه السلام wrote back: 'Yes.' "

It is narrated from Abu Hashim al-Ja'fari, who said: "I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, about a man who had a runaway slave. Is it permissible for him to free the slave as an expiation for zihar?" Imam عليه السلام replied: 'There is no harm in it, as long as he has not come to know of the slave's death.'"