Whose testimony prevails regarding the existence of a skill in the slave that necessitates an increase in value?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Manumission
Primary text
If there is a dispute over a skill in the slave that would increase the value, the statement of the manumitting party prevails due to the reasoning applied in denying liability increases. However, if the slave clearly possesses the skill at the moment of dispute, and no time has passed during which the skill could have been acquired, the statement of the partner prevails because the truthfulness of the partner is known.
Supporting text
If time has passed during which such a skill could have been acquired, there are two viewpoints: one holds that the manumitting party's statement prevails based on the principle of acquittal from liability, and the second holds that the partner's statement prevails based on the principle that the prior state continues and a new development is not assumed.