Is it permissible for a master to have sexual relations with a female slave he appointed as *mudabbara* when he also had sexual relations with her before appointing her status?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Tadbir (Deferred Emancipation)
Primary text
Sexual relations are lawful with her because she remains his property and has not purchased her own freedom from him. This is supported by the Almighty's saying: "Or those whom their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed" (Quran 70:30). This ruling applies similarly to an *umm walad* (conceived slave girl). This view is held by Ibn Abbas, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, 'Ata', al-Thawri, al-Nakha'i, Malik, al-Awza'i, al-Layth, and al-Shafi'i. Ahmad stated he knows no one who disliked this except al-Zuhri.
Supporting text
Al-Awza'i was reported to have stated that if he had sexual relations with her before her *tadbir*, it is permissible afterward; but if he did not have relations before, he should not have relations after *tadbir*. The argument for permissibility is that her ownership remains complete, allowing relations based on the Quranic verse, and her right to freedom does not supersede her mother's case, whose relations are permissible.