Question 1812) - What is the meaning of the owner making a Mukatabah agreement with his slave?

A: It is when the owner says to his slave or slave-girl, 'I impose upon you 1000 Dirham (for example) payable to me within a specified period beginning from this date to that date. If you do that then you are free. If you do not then you remain a slave. If the slave accepts that then he becomes a Mukatab. This transaction is called Mukatabah. The amount which the slave renders to the owner is called Badalul Kitabah [exchange for written agreement]. Allaah says, "Those who seek a Kitab agreement from amongst your slaves then agree to it if you see good in them.? [an-Nur:33]

~ al-Quduri ~