Does the reward for returning an escaped slave have a limit based on the slave's value?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Lost-and-Found Property
Primary text
The established view holds that the stipulated reward is due regardless of whether it exceeds the value of the slave, just as if the owner himself had stipulated that amount. This reward is also due even if the owner dies and the slave becomes part of his estate. This position is held by Abu Yusuf and Muhammad.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa opined that if the slave's value is small, the reward should be reduced by one dirham from the value to prevent the owner from losing the entire slave's value.