If a deceased master states, 'Enter into a contract of manumission (mukātabah) with one of my slaves,' who may the heirs choose?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Mukātaba (Contractual Manumission)

Book 68 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the master mandates that his heirs enter into a contract of manumission with one of his slaves, the heirs have the choice to select whomever they wish among them. This is one of the two recognized scholarly opinions.

Supporting text

According to a second opinion, the heirs must select one of the slaves by lot (qur'ah).