68/17. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5284 — Wala Belongs to the One Who Frees
Chapter
Wala in Islam Hadith: The One Who Manumits Has the Right
Sahih Bukhari : 5284
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5284
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَجَاءٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَرَادَتْ أَنْ تَشْتَرِيَ، بَرِيرَةَ، فَأَبَى مَوَالِيهَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِطُوا الْوَلاَءَ، فَذَكَرَتْ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " اشْتَرِيهَا وَأَعْتِقِيهَا، فَإِنَّمَا الْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ ". وَأُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِلَحْمٍ فَقِيلَ إِنَّ هَذَا مَا تُصُدِّقَ عَلَى بَرِيرَةَ، فَقَالَ " هُوَ لَهَا صَدَقَةٌ، وَلَنَا هَدِيَّةٌ ". حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ وَزَادَ فَخُيِّرَتْ مِنْ زَوْجِهَا.
Al-Aswad Narrated from:
Aisha intended to buy Barira, but her masters stipulated that her wala wound be for them. Aisha mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ) who said (to `Aisha), "Buy and manumit her, for the wala is for the one who manumits." Once some meat was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) and was said, "This meat was given in charity to Barira. " The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is an object of charity for Barira and a gift for us." Narrated Adam: Shu`ba related the same Hadith and added: Barira was given the option regarding her husband.
[1] Walā' : See the glossary.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5284In-book reference : Book 68, Hadith 33USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 63, Hadith 207
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5284
This wala in Islam hadith brings together several clear points from the story of Barira. Aisha wanted to buy Barira, but Barira's masters wanted to keep the wala for themselves. When Aisha mentioned this to the Prophet, he told her to buy and free Barira, and said that wala belongs to the one who manumits. The narration then mentions meat that had been given in charity to Barira. When it was brought to the Prophet, he explained that it was charity for Barira and a gift for them. The added report also says Barira was given the option regarding her husband. This Hadith is important for searches about Barira, wala, manumission, charity, gift, and marital choice, but every point should be kept in its own place as the text states.
What we learn from this hadith
- Wala belongs to the person who manumits.
- A thing may be charity for one person and a gift for another, as stated here.
- Barira was given an option regarding her husband.
- The Prophet corrected a condition that conflicted with the stated rule of wala.
