The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ بَرِيرَةَ جَاءَتْ تَسْتَعِينُهَا فِي كِتَابَتِهَا، وَلَمْ تَكُنْ قَضَتْ مِنْ كِتَابَتِهَا شَيْئًا، قَالَتْ لَهَا عَائِشَةُ ارْجِعِي إِلَى أَهْلِكِ، فَإِنْ أَحَبُّوا أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْكِ كِتَابَتَكِ، وَيَكُونَ وَلاَؤُكِ لِي فَعَلْتُ. فَذَكَرَتْ ذَلِكَ بَرِيرَةُ لأَهْلِهَا فَأَبَوْا وَقَالُوا إِنْ شَاءَتْ أَنْ تَحْتَسِبَ عَلَيْكِ فَلْتَفْعَلْ، وَيَكُونَ وَلاَؤُكِ لَنَا، فَذَكَرَتْ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " ابْتَاعِي فَأَعْتِقِي، فَإِنَّمَا الْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ ". قَالَ ثُمَّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مَا بَالُ أُنَاسٍ يَشْتَرِطُونَ شُرُوطًا لَيْسَتْ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَنِ اشْتَرَطَ شَرْطًا لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ، وَإِنْ شَرَطَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ، شَرْطُ اللَّهِ أَحَقُّ وَأَوْثَقُ ".
That `Aisha told him that Barirah came to seek her help in her writing of emancipation (for a certain
sum) and that time she had not paid anything of it. `Aisha said to her, "Go back to your masters, and if
they agree that I will pay the amount of your writing of emancipation and get your Wala', I will do
so." Barirah informed her masters of that but they refused and said, "If she (i.e. `Aisha) is seeking
Allah's reward, then she can do so, but your Wala' will be for us." `Aisha mentioned that to Allah's
Apostle who said to her, "Buy and manumit (free) her, as the Wala' is for the liberator." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) then
got up and said, "What about the people who stipulate conditions which are not present in Allah's
Laws? Whoever imposes conditions which are not present in Allah's Laws, then those conditions will
be invalid, even if he imposed these conditions a hundred times. Allah's conditions (Laws) are the
truth and are more solid."
Narrated by Narrated `Urwa:
Context
In this hadith, Aisha assists Barirah in her quest for freedom, emphasizing the importance of helping others achieve their rights. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reinforces that the loyalty belongs to the one who liberates, highlighting the ethical considerations in manumission.
Modern Application
This teaching can inspire individuals today to support those seeking freedom and justice. It encourages community members to assist each other in achieving their rights and dignity.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Manumission of Slaves and Slave Rights because it emphasizes the importance of supporting the liberation of individuals and the ethical implications of such actions.
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.
And those who pronounce thihar from their wives and then [wish to] go back on what they said - then [there must be] the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. That is what you are admonished thereby; and Allah is Acquainted with what you do.
And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.
And whoever among you cannot [find] the means to marry free, believing women, then [he may marry] from those whom your right hands possess of believing slave girls. And Allah is most knowing about your faith. You [believers] are of one another. So marry them with the permission of their people and give them their due compensation according to what is acceptable. [They should be] chaste, neither [of] those who commit unlawful intercourse randomly nor those who take [secret] lovers. But once they are sheltered in marriage, if they should commit adultery, then for them is half the punishment for free [unmarried] women. This [allowance] is for him among you who fears sin, but to be patient is better for you. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Divorce is twice. Then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them unless both fear that they will not be able to keep [within] the limits of Allah. But if you fear that they will not keep [within] the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah - it is those who are the wrongdoers.