What is the legal ruling regarding the testimony of a *Mukatab*, *Mudabbar*, *Umm Walad*, or one whose freedom is partially granted?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
The ruling regarding the testimony of a *Mukatab* (a slave contracted for manumission), *Mudabbar* (a slave designated for manumission upon the master's death), *Umm Walad* (a female slave who has borne her master a child), and one whose freedom is partially granted follows the ruling of a fully enslaved person (*Qinn*), because servitude exists among them. This view is supported by the ruling attributed to Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the testimony of a *Mukatab* is not valid, and it is the opinion of Ata, Ash-Sha'bi, and An-Nakha'i. The legal basis is derived from the established ruling concerning the enslaved person, and since these individuals possess attributes leading toward freedom, the ruling should apply to them even more so.
Supporting text
The majority of scholars, including Ata, Al-Hasan, Ash-Sha'bi, Az-Zuhri, Ash-Shafi'i, Ishaq, Abu Ubayd, Abu Hanifa, and his companions, hold that their testimony is accepted. Malik and Al-Layth stated that their testimony is not accepted specifically in cases of *Zina* (fornication or adultery) alone, based on the suspicion that someone who has committed an ugly act desires others to share in it, citing a reported statement from Uthman to that effect.