A slave who commits an offence and is then freed by his master

Ibrahim said: When a slave commits an offense, and then his master comes to know of his offense and sets him free, the master is liable for that offense.

Something similar is also reported from Amir (al-Sha'bi).

It is narrated from al-Zuhri concerning a slave who commits an offense and whose master then sets him free: his setting him free is valid, and the master is liable for his value.

It is narrated from Muhammad (Ibn Sirin) concerning a slave: When he commits an offense, it falls upon his own neck. Ash'ath said: I asked: What if his master sets him free? He replied: Then his value is due from the master.

The statement of al-Hasan is reported concerning a slave: When he commits an offense, and his master then comes to know of it and sets him free, the slave shall himself strive to pay off his offense.

It is narrated from Hammad that he was asked about a slave who commits an offense. He replied: His master has the choice: if he wishes he may hand the slave over, and if he wishes he may surrender him. If he sets him free, the value of the slave is due from him, and once the slave has been freed nothing is due from the slave.

The statement of al-Sha'bi is reported concerning a slave who killed a free man, and whose master then received the news and set him free. He said: His setting him free is valid, and the blood money is due from his master.

Sufyan said: If the master set the slave free after knowing of his offense, he is liable for the offense; and if the master was unaware of the offense, the value of the slave is due from him.