Does revoking a stipulation of Tadbir (Tadbir) verbally nullify it?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Tadbir (Deferred Emancipation)
Primary text
There are differing narrations from Imam Ahmad on whether revoking the Tadbir verbally invalidates it. The correct view is that it is not invalidated because the manumission was conditioned upon a specified event (death), and such a condition cannot be revoked, similar to saying, 'If you enter the house, you are free.' The manumission becomes effective upon death regardless of the owner's later change of mind.
Supporting text
The second narration states that the Tadbir is voided because it is considered a bequest (Wasiyyah) regarding the master's self after death, and a bequest can be revoked verbally. This was the old position of Al-Shafi'i. However, the correct view holds it is not a bequest regarding the master's self because the master does not possess his own self; rather, freedom is established, which does not require acceptance from the enslaved person.