What is the ruling regarding the expiation (kaffarah) for an enslaved person who is half-free (mukatab or similar status)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
The ruling for one who is half-free concerning expiation is the same as that of a fully free person. If they possess wealth sufficient for expiation through the part they own as free, they are not permitted to fast (as an alternative). They have the choice among the three prescribed options for expiation. This is supported by the Divine saying: Whoever does not find [the means], then three days of fasting (Quran 5:89). This individual is considered as one who 'finds' because they possess complete ownership, thus resembling a fully free person. Furthermore, the absence of some legal consequences does not invalidate the ruling, similar to the freeing of a Muslim's enslaved non-Muslim.
Supporting text
The apparent position in the Shafi'i school holds that such a person may only offer feeding or clothing for expiation, but not manumission, due to the lack of establishing full wala' (patronage). Some scholars hold that only fasting is permissible for them because their status is diminished by bondage, resembling that of a full slave (qinn).