What happens to the wala' if both the seller and the buyer retract their initial statements regarding the slave's status after the slave dies?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
If both parties retract their statements, it is debated. One opinion suggests the wala' remains suspended until they reach a settlement, as it must belong to one of them but their specific entitlement is unknown.
Supporting text
Another opinion suggests that whoever currently possesses the freed person must swear an oath and take the wala', as they are effectively denying the basis for the previous ruling (the admission of freedom).