Mukataba

In Islamic law, a mukataba (مكاتبة) is a contract of manumission between a master and a slave according to which the slave is required to pay a certain sum of money during a specific time period in exchange for freedom. In the legal literature, slaves who enter this contract are known as mukatab.[1][page needed] The Ẓāhirī school of Islamic jurisprudence view it to be compulsory,[2][3] while the Shafa'is, Malikis and Hanafis perceive it to be merely recommended,[3] and mustahabb (praiseworthy) to do so.[4] Mukataba is one of the four procedures provided in Islam for manumission of slaves.[5]

  1. ^ Brunschvig, Encyclopedia of Islam, Abd
  2. ^ Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid, Ibn Rushd, volume 2, page 453 Excerpt from 'Discover the Truth'
  3. ^ a b Talfheem ul Quran
  4. ^ Gordon 41
  5. ^ Ahmad A. Sikainga(1995), p.7