Is fasting a valid form of expiation for a slave?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
Fasting is sufficient for a slave in expiation because it is the prescribed duty for a free person who is unable to meet the other requirements, and the slave is in a worse financial state. Furthermore, the slave is included in the general statement: 'But whoever cannot find [the means for] it, then a fast of three days' [Quran 5:89].
Supporting text
If the master permits his slave to discharge the expiation with money, it is not obligatory for the slave to do so, as the slave does not own what he is permitted to spend. Some companions of our school hold two narrations: that he may discharge it with money, or that he must only discharge it through fasting. The validity often depends on whether the slave is deemed to possess property through the act of ownership transfer from the master.