Aisha told me that Barirah came to seek her help in writing for emancipation and at that time she had
not paid any part of her price. `Aisha said to her, "Go to your masters and if they agree that I will pay
your price (and free you) on condition that your Wala' will be for me, I will pay the money." Barirah
told her masters about that, but they refused, and said, "If `Aisha wants to do a favor she could, but
your Wala will be for us." Aisha informed Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) of that and he said to her, "Buy and
manumit Barirah as the Wala' will go to the manumitted."
Narrated by Narrated `Urwa:
Context
In this hadith, Aisha narrates a story about Barirah, a woman seeking help for her emancipation. Aisha offered to pay Barirah's price on the condition that her allegiance would be to Aisha. However, Barirah's masters refused this arrangement. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) affirmed that the allegiance belongs to the one who frees a slave, emphasizing the rights of the freed individual.
Modern Application
This hadith underscores the importance of supporting the rights of individuals, particularly women and those seeking freedom from oppression. In modern society, it inspires advocacy for social justice and the empowerment of marginalized groups.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Rights of Women and Manumission of Slaves because it addresses the rights of a woman seeking freedom and the principles surrounding emancipation.
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 [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 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.
He said, "Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put you in difficulty. You will find me, if Allah wills, from among the righteous."
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.