Who bears responsibility for a crime committed by one partner in a joint emancipation (*kitabah*)?

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If one partner in a joint emancipation commits a crime (*jinaayah*), that partner alone bears the consequence (*arsh*) of their action, and it does not transfer to the other partner. This position is held by Al-Shafi'i. The evidence for this ruling is the Divine saying, "No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another" (Quran 21:164), and the Prophet's statement, "No wrongdoer incurs guilt except upon himself." Furthermore, if two individuals jointly contracted an act, one cannot be held accountable for the crime of the other, just as in cases where full retribution (Qisas) is not applicable. Since each person is considered emancipated according to their share, each is treated as if they entered the contract individually.