Ruling If a Slave Commits an Offense and Is Then Freed by His Master

Ibrahim said that when a slave commits an offense and then the master becomes aware of his offense and sets him free, then the master will be liable for that offense.

It is also narrated in the same manner from Hazrat Aamir.

It is narrated from Hazrat Zuhri that when a slave commits a sin and his master sets him free, then setting him free will be permissible and the master will be liable for his price.

It is narrated from Muhammad regarding a slave that when he commits an offense, it will be upon his neck. Hazrat Ash'ath says that I asked, "If his master sets him free, then what?" He replied, "Then his value will be obligatory upon him."

It is narrated from Hasan regarding a slave that when he commits an offense and then his master comes to know of it and sets him free, then the slave himself will strive to pay for his offense.

It is narrated from Hazrat Hammad that he was asked about a slave who had committed an offense. He replied that the master has the choice: if he wishes, he may hand over the slave, and if he wishes, he may withhold him. And if he sets him free, then the value of the slave will be obligatory upon him, and when the slave has been set free, nothing will be obligatory upon him.

It is narrated from Hazrat Sha'bi regarding a slave who killed a free man, and then his master came to know of it and set him free, that he (Sha'bi) says: His setting him free will be permissible, and blood money will be obligatory upon his master.

Hazrat Sufyan says that if the master, after knowing about the slave's offense, sets him free, then he will be liable for the offense; and if the master was unaware of the offense, then the value of the slave will be obligatory upon him.