Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sought my advice regarding the sale of an umm walad (a slave woman who has borne her master's child). Both my opinion and his were that when the umm walad gives birth to a child, she should be set free after the master's death. Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) gave his verdict on this during his lifetime, and after him, Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) also gave the same verdict. Then, when I became the leader of the believers after them, I thought it better to keep her as a slave. Hazrat Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) says that Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrated to me that I asked Hazrat Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him), "What is your opinion?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I prefer the opinion that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Umar held together in consultation with the companions, more than the opinion Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) adopted at the time of differing views."