What is the ruling if a master tells his slave, 'You are free contingent upon one thousand'?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Manumission
Primary text
In one narration, the ruling is the same as the previous case, as the word 'ala' (upon/contingent upon) is not a tool for conditionality or exchange, resembling the phrase 'and one thousand is due from you.' However, in the sounder narration, if the slave accepts, he is manumitted and the one thousand becomes obligatory. If he does not accept, he is not manumitted. This second view is deemed sounder because 'ala' is used for both condition and exchange, as evidenced by Quran 18:66 and Quran 18:94, and its application in contracts like marriage where dower is stipulated.
Supporting text
The view held by Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Abu Hanifa is that manumission does not occur without the slave's acceptance because it is manumission for a consideration, similar to stating, 'You are free for one thousand.'