Makaatib

And Allah’s Statement: “…And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), give them such writing, if you find that there is good and honesty in them. And give them something (yourselves) out of the wealth of Allah which He has bestowed upon you…” (V.24:33)

Narrated Ibn Juraij: I asked ‘Ata’, “Will it be necessary for me to give a slave the writing of emancipation if I come to know that such a slave has money or property?” ‘Ata’ replied, “I consider it obligatory.”

‘Amr bin Dinar asked ‘Ata’, “Have you a proof (narration) for your verdict?” He replied in the negative and added that Musa bin Anas told him that Sirin sought from Anas a writing of emancipation, and Sirin was a very rich slave, but Anas refused to grant him his desire. Sirin went to ‘Umar رضي الله عنه who ordered Anas with his lash and recited:

“Give them such writing, if you find that there is good and honesty in them…” (V.24:33)

Anas then gave him a writing (of emancipation).

Ibn ‘Umar narrated (the above).

'Aishah said, "A Mukatab remains a slave as long as he has not paid the whole amount." Zaid bin Thabit said, "He remains a slave even if he owed one Dirham." Ibn 'Umar said, "He remains a slave whether living or dead, or became insane, so long as he still has to pay something (from the writing of emancipation)."