27/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1501d — Fair Freedom for a Shared Slave
One who frees his share in a slave
Hadith About Freeing a Shared Slave with Fair Responsibility
Sahih Muslim : 1501d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1501d
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ أَعْتَقَ شِرْكًا لَهُ مِنْ مَمْلُوكٍ فَعَلَيْهِ عِتْقُهُ كُلُّهُ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ يَبْلُغُ ثَمَنَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ عَتَقَ مِنْهُ مَا عَتَقَ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Ibn 'Umar reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who emancipates his share in the slave, it is his responsibility to secure full freedom for him provided he (the slave) has enough money to pay the (remaining) price, but it he has not so much money he would be emancipated to the extent that the first man emancipated.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1501dIn-book reference : Book 27, Hadith 73USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 15, Hadith 4103
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1501d
This Hadith speaks about a case where a slave is jointly owned, and one owner frees only his own share. The main teaching is about responsibility after partial emancipation. The person who starts the freedom process must try to secure full freedom if there is enough wealth to cover the remaining price. If there is not enough money, then the slave is considered free only to the extent that was already freed. This is why searches like hadith about freeing slaves, shared slave emancipation, and Sahih Muslim manumission hadith connect strongly with this narration. The text keeps the focus on fairness, payment, and not leaving the matter unclear after one person has freed his part.
What we learn from this hadith
- Freeing a shared slave brings financial responsibility when the person has enough wealth.
- Partial freedom is recognized when full payment cannot be made.
- The Hadith gives clear attention to fairness in a shared ownership case.
- Good intentions should be joined with practical responsibility.
