What is the effect of a master stating, "I have fully received my *kitabah* payment"?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Mukātaba (Contractual Manumission)

Book 68 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the master states, "I have fully received all of my *kitabah* payment," the slave is manumitted. This manumission occurs even if the master adds stipulations such as, "if God wills" or "if Zayd wills." Such exceptions do not invalidate the declaration because this type of exception does not apply to a statement regarding a past event. Since the past event (receipt of payment) has already occurred and cannot be changed by a condition, the condition merely indicates doubt regarding the past, rendering the doubt null and confirming the acknowledgement.

Supporting text

Imam Ahmad, according to a narration by Abu Talib, considered that if someone says, "I owe a thousand, if God wills," it still constitutes an acknowledgement of the debt.