What is the master's liability if they choose to redeem the slave instead of selling them to cover the compensation for injury?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
If the master chooses to redeem the slave, they are obligated to pay the lesser of two amounts: the slave's actual market value or the exact amount of the compensation for the injury (*arsh*). If the *arsh* is greater than the slave's value, only the slave's value is incumbent because the liability for the *arsh* does not extend beyond the perpetrator (the slave). If the *arsh* is less than the slave's value, only the *arsh* is incumbent because that is the full extent of the liability stemming from the injury.
Supporting text
Another narration from Ahmad states that the master is liable for the full amount of the injury compensation, no matter how large it is. This is based on the premise that someone might desire to purchase the slave for a price exceeding their market value; by preventing the sale, the master deprives the injured party of this possibility, thus making the full *arsh* incumbent. Al-Shafi'i holds two opinions corresponding to these two narrations.