What is the ruling if a specific female slave (*jariya*) from the people of a fortress is stipulated as the reward for conquering it, and she converts to Islam before the conquest?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jihad
Primary text
If a specific female slave from the people of the fortress is stipulated as the reward for conquering it, the reward is not due until the fortress is conquered. If the fortress is conquered by force, she must be handed over. However, if she embraced Islam before the conquest, her Islam protects her, making it impossible to hand her over. In this case, her monetary value must be paid to the recipient of the reward.
Supporting text
The principle exemplified by the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, was divinely prevented from returning Muslim women who came to him after the treaty conditions were set, applies here. Similarly, if the stipulated reward was a man from the fortress people and he converted before the conquest, he is protected and cannot be handed over; his value must be paid. If the conversion of the slave or man occurs after they are captured, they are handed over if the claimant is Muslim. If the claimant is a disbeliever, the claimant receives their value, as a disbeliever cannot gain initial ownership over a Muslim.