What is the distribution of inheritance when a master manumits a slave who owns property exceeding his value, and the slave dies before the master?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Bequests
Primary text
If a master manumits a slave who has no other assets, valued at ten, and the slave dies before the master, leaving an estate of twenty, the entire estate goes to the master by right of *Walaa* (allegiance) if it is determined the slave died free. Similarly, if the slave left forty and a daughter, the estate accrues to the master by *Walaa*.
Supporting text
If the slave leaves ten, a portion of him is deemed freed, and he is entitled to some of his earnings. The master is entitled to two shares. If the ten in the master's possession is confirmed to represent these two shares, and it is determined that half the slave was free and half remained enslaved, the master is entitled to half the ten by virtue of the remaining enslavement and half by virtue of *Walaa*.