The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ أَتَتْهَا بَرِيرَةُ تَسْأَلُهَا فِي كِتَابَتِهَا، فَقَالَتْ إِنْ شِئْتِ أَعْطَيْتُ أَهْلَكِ وَيَكُونُ الْوَلاَءُ لِي. فَلَمَّا جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَكَّرْتُهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " ابْتَاعِيهَا فَأَعْتِقِيهَا، فَإِنَّمَا الْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْتَقَ ". ثُمَّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ " مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَشْتَرِطُونَ شُرُوطًا لَيْسَتْ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَنِ اشْتَرَطَ شَرْطًا لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ، وَإِنِ اشْتَرَطَ مِائَةَ شَرْطٍ ".
Aisha said that Barirah came to seek her help in the writing of her emancipation. `Aisha said to her,
"If you wish, I will pay your masters (your price) and the wala' will be for me." When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
came, she told him about it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to her, "Buy her (i.e. Barirah) and manumit (free) her, for the
Wala is for the one who manumits." Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ascended the pulpit and said, "What about
those people who stipulate conditions which are not in Allah's Laws? Whoever stipulates such
conditions as are not in Allah's Laws, then those conditions are invalid even if he stipulated a hundred
such conditions."
Narrated by Narrated `Amra:
Context
In this hadith, Aisha narrates an incident where Barirah sought her assistance in her emancipation. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised Aisha to purchase and free Barirah, emphasizing that the right of manumission belongs to the one who frees a slave. He also warned against imposing conditions not found in Allah's laws, underscoring the importance of adhering to divine guidance.
Modern Application
This principle encourages individuals to act with kindness and integrity in their dealings, especially regarding the treatment of others. It serves as a reminder to ensure that agreements and conditions are fair and just, reflecting ethical conduct.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Ethical Conduct and Manumission of Slaves because it highlights the importance of freeing slaves and adhering to ethical standards in agreements.
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.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.