How is the total *kitabah* price apportioned among the contracted slaves?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mukātaba (Contractual Manumission)
Primary text
The price is apportioned among them according to their respective market values at the time of the contract, as this occurs at the moment of exchange and the master's authority ceases over them. Upon payment of their share, that individual slave is freed. This is the view of 'Ata, Sulayman ibn Musa, Al-Hasan ibn Salih, Al-Shafi'i, and Ishaq.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr 'Abd al-Aziz suggests an alternative position attributed to Ahmad, that the consideration is divided equally among them based on their head count, as the contract is ascribed to them jointly. This is supported by analogy to an acknowledgment of a gift to them, where the distribution would be equal.