What is the ruling if the master denies the *mudabbar* status and the slave has no evidence (*bayyinah*)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Tadbir (Deferred Emancipation)

Book 67 · Issue 6 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the master denies and the slave has no evidence, the statement of the denier is accepted, provided he takes an oath, because the default principle is non-existence. If the slave has evidence, judgment is passed based on it, requiring two just male witnesses, without difference of opinion.