What is the ruling if the mortgagor acknowledges having manumitted (freed) the mortgaged bondswoman?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Pledges (Collateral)

Book 13 · Issue 5 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The acknowledgment of manumission is valid, and she is released from the mortgage. This view is held by Abu Hanifa. The rationale is that if he were to manumit her directly, his manumission would be effective, thus his admission of manumission should also be accepted, like any other admission not related to the mortgage, as his admission of freeing her carries the force of him declaring, 'You are free.'

Supporting text

One opinion attributed to Al-Shafi'i is that the acknowledgment is not accepted, based on the premise that his manumission of the mortgaged property is invalid.