Muwatta Malik (Yahya)

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Abi Bakr that Aban bin Uthman and Hisham bin Ismail both stated in a sermon that the responsibility for defects in a male or female slave lies with the seller for three days from the time of purchase, and there is a responsibility for one year.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said that any ailment that appears in a male or female slave within three days will be considered as being from the seller, and the buyer will have the right to return the slave. And if madness, leprosy, or vitiligo appears, then the buyer will have the right to return the slave within one year. After one year, the seller will be free from all responsibilities, and no liability for any defect will remain upon him. If someone from among the heirs or others sells a male or female slave with the condition that the seller is free from liability for defects, then the seller will not be liable. However, if he deliberately concealed any defect, then liability will be upon him, and the buyer will have the right to return the slave. This liability is specific to male or female slaves and does not apply to other items.

Malik said: Whoever sells a slave or a slave girl from among the heirs or others with a disclaimer, he is absolved from every defect, and there is no liability upon him unless he knew of a defect and concealed it. If he knew of a defect and concealed it, the disclaimer does not benefit him, and that sale is to be returned. And there is no liability with us except in the case of slaves.

Malik said: Whatever befalls the slave or the female slave during the three days, from the time they are purchased until the three days have passed, is the responsibility of the seller. And the guarantee of a year is for insanity, leprosy, and vitiligo; so if the year passes, the seller is free from all responsibility.