Chapter on the Contract of Manumission (Mukataba)

Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, 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 عليه السلام 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."