| Al-Balad (The City): (13) Freeing a Slave (Fakku Raqabah)

The meaning is that "assaulting the difficult pass" (Iqtihām al-'Aqabah) is either freeing a slave or feeding the needy. There are several issues concerning this:

Issue 1: The Meaning of "Fakk" (Freeing/Releasing)

"Fakk" (freeing) is an act that removes a restraint, like unlocking a shackle or a chain. "Fakku Raqabah" (freeing a neck/slave) distinguishes it from the state of slavery by establishing freedom and nullifying servitude. Similarly, "Fakku al-Rahn" (redeeming a pledge) means removing the restriction of the pledge. Anything you release, you have "fakaktahu" (freed it). This is also the source of "Fakku al-Kitāb" (releasing a written obligation/contract).

Al-Farrā’ said: In the sources, the verbal noun is fakākan (with a fatḥa on the fā’), and one should not say fikākan (with a kasra). It is said that the custom of the Arabs regarding captives was to bind their necks and hands, and this terminology was applied to them even if they were not physically bound. Subsequently, releasing a captive was termed fakāka. Al-Akhtal said:

Issue 2: The Scope of "Fakku Raqabah"

Freeing a slave (Fakku Raqabah) can occur in two ways:

1. A person emancipates a slave from bondage.
2. A person gives a mukatab (a slave who has contracted for his freedom) what enables him to pay the price for his own manumission.

Al-Barrā’ ibn ‘Āzib narrated that a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, guide me to an act that will admit me to Paradise." He replied: "Emancipating a soul (‘itqu an-nasamah) and freeing a slave (fakku ar-raqabah)." The Bedouin asked: "O Messenger of Allah, are they not the same thing?" He replied: "No. Emancipating a soul is when you single-handedly free it. Freeing a slave is when you assist in paying its price."

There is another interpretation: that what is meant is that a person frees his own soul (رقبة نفسه) through the acts of worship he undertakes, which lead him to Paradise—this is the greater freedom, by which he is saved from the Fire.

Issue 3: Recitations of the Verse

It has been recited: "Fakku Raqabah" or feeding (implying a nominal structure: "It is freeing a slave or feeding..."). It has also been recited: "Fakku Raqabah or feed" (using the imperative verb aṭ‘im), as an alternative to the command "assault the difficult pass" (Iqtahim al-‘Aqabah).

Al-Farrā’ stated that the latter recitation (using verbs) is more consistent with correct Arabic grammar because of the subsequent phrase: "Then he became..." (verse 16). Since fakku and aṭ‘im are verbs (or related to verbs), what follows should also be a verb. However, if it were read as "Then, if he was..." (using a nominal structure), it would correspond appropriately to the nominative reading of "Fakku Raqabah" (as a noun connected to a noun).

Issue 4: Preference Between Emancipation and Charity

According to Abū Ḥanīfah, emancipating a slave is the best type of charity. According to his two companions (Abū Yūsuf and Muḥammad), general charity is superior. This verse is more indicative of Abū Ḥanīfah's view because it places the freeing of a slave before general charity in the listing.

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