Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In general circumstances, freeing a slave is a commendable act, but making special arrangements for it at the time of an eclipse holds particular significance. In one narration, it is mentioned that we were commanded to free slaves at the time of an eclipse. (: Sahih al-Bukhari, al-‘Itq, Hadith: 2520)

(2)
A person who does not have the means to free a slave should act upon the general hadith in which it is stated: “Save yourselves from the Fire, even if it be by giving half a date in charity.” (: Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Zakah, Hadith: 1413; and Sahih Muslim, al-Zakah, Hadith: 2347(1016)) In any case, giving charity and alms in such circumstances is a commendable act.

Hadith Commentary:
The eclipse of the moon and the sun is among the signs of Allah’s power.
Through these, Allah, the Exalted, warns His servants and informs them that this entire universe will one day be overturned in a similar manner.
On such occasions, the command has been given to free slaves, which is a very great virtue and a tremendous service to humanity, the reward for which is that Allah, the Exalted, frees every limb of that slave from the Hellfire.
All praise is due to Allah, it is the fruit of this pure teaching of Islam that today such slavery has almost disappeared from the world. A significant portion of the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic hadiths is filled with encouragements to free slaves in the context of promoting good deeds.
From this, it can also be gauged how much value and importance Islam places on human freedom, and how reprehensible a thing human slavery is.
It is astonishing, the minds influenced by the West, who accuse Islam of being reactionary and consider Islam to be against human progress and freedom.
Such people should study the teachings of Islam with the eyes of justice.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Both of these narrations are extremely concise. The connected (musnad) hadith has already been mentioned earlier. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Hadith: 1047)

(2)
In the chapter heading, mention is made of other signs of Allah as well, whereas in the hadith only the command to free slaves at the time of a solar eclipse is given. Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has made an analogy between the other signs of Allah and the solar eclipse, or he has indicated towards another narration whose wording is as follows:
“The sun and the moon are both signs from among the signs of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, frightens His servants through them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Hadith: 1048)
Since frightening is most often associated with fire, in this context the command to free slaves at the time of a solar eclipse is given, as it is a means of freedom from Hellfire.
(Fath al-Bari: 5/186)
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
By "Ali" is meant Imam Bukhari's rahimahullah teacher, Ali ibn al-Madini, and by "Darawardi" is meant Abdul Aziz ibn Muhammad.
Musa ibn Mas'ud narrates this narration from Hisham through the intermediary of Zaidah ibn Qudamah, whereas Ali ibn al-Madini narrates it from Hisham through the intermediary of Darawardi.
Thus, Ali ibn al-Madini has followed (mutaba‘ah) Musa's teacher's teacher in this chain.
(Fath al-Bari: 5/186)

1192. Commentary:
This is a matter of recommendation and encouragement, and granting a person his due right and status in society is a great deed, especially for a Muslim.