What is the legal status of a female slave if her owner fathers a child by her?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Freeing Mothers of Children
Primary text
If the owner fathers a child by his female slave, she becomes an 'Umm Walad' (mother of his child). This status arises because he initiated conception while she was his property. Upon his death, she is automatically manumitted. Furthermore, any child born from her after this point, even if conceived by another husband, inherits the legal status of the mother, meaning they are free.