Does the practice of Azl (coitus interruptus) negate the attribution of offspring to the master from his slave woman?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Freeing Mothers of Children
Primary text
If a man claims he practiced Azl (coitus interruptus) while having relations with his slave woman, the offspring is not negated thereby. Evidence for this is found in the tradition where the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was asked about Azl and replied that if Allah decrees the creation of a soul, it will be created. Further support comes from the incident where a man asked permission to practice Azl and then reported the slave woman became pregnant; the Prophet responded by reiterating that what was destined for her would occur. The Prophet's companion Abu Sa'eed reported that he practiced Azl with his slave woman and she bore him his most beloved child. Umar also confirmed that he would attribute offspring to masters who claimed Azl unless they abstained thereafter, emphasizing that the child belongs to the fertile ground due to coitus. The incident concerning 'Abd ibn Zam'ah and Sa'd regarding the son of Zam'ah's slave woman affirms the ruling that the child belongs to the fertile ground.
Supporting text
A differing view is attributed to Ibn Umar and Zayd ibn Thabit. A narration concerning Umar describes him lamenting a black child born from his slave woman after he practiced Azl, attributing it to a camel herder, and thanking God. Similarly, Zayd ibn Thabit, after practicing Azl with his Persian slave woman who conceived, freed the child, flogged the woman, and stated that he did not desire her, claiming the conception could not have come from him. Al-Thawri and Abu Hanifa maintain that the woman does not become fertile ground, and the child is not ascribed to the master unless he subsequently admits paternity, after which all subsequent children are ascribed to him.