20/3. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1504k — Barira and the Right of Wala
Al-Wala' (Right of inheritance) belongs to the one who manumits the slave
Hadith About Barira and the Right of Wala
Sahih Muslim : 1504k
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1504k
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي، عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ فِي بَرِيرَةَ ثَلاَثُ سُنَنٍ خُيِّرَتْ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا حِينَ عَتَقَتْ وَأُهْدِيَ لَهَا لَحْمٌ فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالْبُرْمَةُ عَلَى النَّارِ فَدَعَا بِطَعَامٍ فَأُتِيَ بِخُبْزٍ وَأُدُمٍ مِنْ أُدُمِ الْبَيْتِ فَقَالَ " أَلَمْ أَرَ بُرْمَةً عَلَى النَّارِ فِيهَا لَحْمٌ " . فَقَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ لَحْمٌ تُصُدِّقَ بِهِ عَلَى بَرِيرَةَ فَكَرِهْنَا أَنْ نُطْعِمَكَ مِنْهُ . فَقَالَ " هُوَ عَلَيْهَا صَدَقَةٌ وَهُوَ مِنْهَا لَنَا هَدِيَّةٌ " . وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيهَا " إِنَّمَا الْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
A'isha (Allah be pleased with her). the wife of Allah's Apostle (may Peace be upon him) said: Three are the Sunan (usages) (that we came to know in case of Bairara). She was given option in regard to her husband when she was emancipated. She was given meat as charity. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) visited me when an earthen pot with meat in it was placed on the fire. He asked for food and be was given bread with ordinary meat (usually cooked in the) house. Thereupon he (Allah's Messenger) said: Don't I see the earthen pot on fire with meat in it? They said: Yes. Allah's Messenger, there is meat in it which was given as charity to Barira. We did not deem it advisable that we should give you that to eat, whereupon he said: It is charity for her, but it is gift for us. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) also said: The right of inheritance vests with one who emancipates.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1504kIn-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 17USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 9, Hadith 3594
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1504k
This Hadith about Barira brings together three clear teachings mentioned by A'isha (Allah be pleased with her). First, Barira was given a choice about her husband after she was emancipated. Second, meat that had been given to Barira as charity was not treated the same once she offered it to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He explained that it was charity for her, but a gift from her to them. Third, the Hadith states that the right of wala, or inheritance right linked to emancipation, belongs to the one who emancipates. The main message is careful fairness in charity, gifts, marriage choice after emancipation, and the right of inheritance after freeing a slave.
What we learn from this hadith
- A freed woman in Barira’s case was given a choice regarding her husband.
- Charity given to one person may become a gift when that person gives it to another.
- The right of wala belongs to the person who emancipates.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected a concern with clear and simple guidance.
