Is it permissible for a master to rent out his female slave for nursing?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Leasing

Book 25 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is permissible for a man to rent out his female slave (*amah*), his *mudabbara* (a slave designated for manumission upon the master's death), his slave concubine (*umm walad*), a slave whose manumission is conditioned upon a description, and one permitted for trade, for the purpose of nursing. This permissibility stems from the contract being upon her usufruct, resembling renting her for service. There is no permissibility for any of these women to rent themselves out because their usufruct belongs to their master.