What is the ruling if a master declares to his female slave, 'You are forbidden (haram) to me,' with the intention of manumission (freeing her)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Manumission
Primary text
If a master states to his female slave, 'You are forbidden (haram) to me' while intending manumission, she is thereby freed. This ruling is held because the statement is susceptible to meaning, 'You are forbidden to me by virtue of you being free.' Therefore, the manumission takes effect, similar to his statement, 'I have no way over you.'
Supporting text
There is another reported narration, attributed to Abu Al-Khattab, stating that she is not freed by this declaration, treating it like the statement of divorce ('You are divorced').