Can a Mukatab fulfill expiations (kaffarah) for *Zihar* (likening wife to mother), sexual intercourse during Ramadan, or killing, or an oath, using wealth?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mukātaba (Contractual Manumission)
Primary text
A Mukatab is not required to pay wealth for expiations such as *Zihar*, intercourse during Ramadan, killing, or an oath, because he is a slave and is considered in the ruling of someone unable to pay (*mu'sir*). This inability is evidenced by the fact that Zakat is not obligatory upon him, nor maintenance for relatives, but he is eligible to receive Zakat due to his need. The required expiation for a slave or one unable to pay is fasting.
Supporting text
If the master permits the Mukatab to pay the expiation with wealth, it is valid, as this is treated as a voluntary contribution (*tabarru'*), which a slave may perform with his master's permission. The prohibition against paying wealth is lifted because the prohibition was an impediment to him, and permission overrides the impediment. The reason wealth payment is generally not obligatory, even with permission, is that it entails harm by potentially preventing his freedom, similar to how a voluntary act is not obligatory upon him even with permission.