Is a settlement valid when one claims another is their slave, and the defendant pays a price to confirm the claim of slavery?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Settlement

Book 16 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The settlement is invalid if a claimant sues a man claiming him to be a slave, and the defendant pays money to confirm the status of servitude. This is because such a transaction permits what is forbidden, as the enslavement of a free person is not permissible, whether for compensation or otherwise.