A man marrying a slave woman: those who disliked it

Sa'id bin Jubayr said: If a free man marries a slave woman, he has drawn back from fornication only a little, because Allah Almighty says in the verse of the Qur'an, "And that you be patient is better for you" [al-Nisa: 25], meaning: if you refrain from marrying slave women, that is better for you.

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: If a free man marries a slave woman, he has drawn back from fornication only a little.

Al-Hasan considered it disliked for a man who is able to marry a free woman to marry a slave woman. However, if he fears falling into fornication, it is permissible.

Ata asked Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) about marrying a slave woman, and he said: It is not permissible nowadays.

Makhul said: A free man may marry a slave woman only if he cannot bear the expenses of a free woman.

Umarah bin Hayyan said: A woman came to Jabir bin Zayd and said: "A man has sent me a proposal of marriage for my slave woman." He said: "Do not marry her to him." The woman said: "The man who sent the proposal fears falling into sin." He again said: "Do not marry her to him." The woman said: "The man who sent the proposal fears that he will commit fornication with this slave woman." He said: "Then marry her to him."

Al-Hakam and Hammad were asked about marrying a slave woman, and they recited the verse of the Qur'an: "For whoever among you fears hardship" [al-Nisa: 25]; that is, it is permissible for one who fears falling into fornication.

Mujahid said: This Ummah has been given latitude to marry slave women and Christian women.

Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whatever slave marries a free woman, half of that slave has become free; and whatever free man marries a slave woman, half of him has become a slave.

Amir said: Marrying a slave woman is like carrion, blood and the flesh of swine: it is permissible only for one who is in dire need.