Is it permissible to sell the slave who committed a penal injury to cover the resulting compensation (Arsh)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Mukātaba (Contractual Manumission)

Book 68 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is not permissible to sell the slave to cover the compensation (Arsh) for the injury committed. This is because the compensation right does not become established over the slave's very being (raqabah). If the perpetrator is one of the son's slaves, selling him for this purpose is also impermissible.

Supporting text

The companions of Al-Shafi'i permit the sale in one of two opinions, arguing that since the master could not sell him before the crime, the crime grants him the right to sell the slave to cover the resulting liability.