What is the ruling if the funds for purchasing a slave for atonement are available, but no slave is available for purchase?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Zihar

Book 42 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the price for acquiring a slave (raqabah) for atonement is found, but no slave is available to purchase, the individual must transition to fasting, similar to the situation where the price for water is found but no water is available to buy.