Islam and Slavery — Page 19
t 19 to lead free lives to secure their freedom by way of right, but even in case where the slaves did not at first possess such capability it encouraged them to engage in some work like free men and to learn to bear the responsibility of civil contract in order to earn the required sum of money and acquire free citizenship. . It must also be borne in mind that the question of emancipation through Mukatabat did not depend upon the sweet will of the master; it was obligatory. Whenever a slave demanded such a contract to be made, the master had no right to refuse. It was for the Government or the Court to decide whether the slave was fit to lead a free and independent life, and if the decision went in favour of the slave the master was bound to accept it. It is on record that once Sirin, a slave of Anas, a companion of the Holy. Prophet, desired his master to give him a contract of freedom on payment of a certain sum, but Anas, thinking that he was a rich man and needed no money, refused to make the required contract. Sirin complained to Omar, the second successor of the Holy Prophet, who summoned. Anas and ordered him to give Sirin the desired contract. . Anas refused; Omar thereupon hit him with a whip and recited the Quranic verse which says, "As for those slaves who desire to enter into a contract of Mukatabat with you, make such a contract with them. " Thereupon Anas agreed. (1). That the obligation of Mukatabat depended on the fitness of the slave to lead an independent life and on noth(1) Bukhari, Kitab Al-Mukatabat.