Shuʿbah narrated—through Qatādah, from Anas—who said:
The Messenger of Allah was brought some meat, and it was said, “It was given in charity to Barīrah.” He replied, “For her it is charity, but for us it is a gift.” (1)

Ayyūb narrated—from ʿIkrimah—who said:
Barīrah’s husband was mentioned in the presence of Ibn ʿAbbās. He said, “That was Mughīth, a slave belonging to such-and-such a clan. I have seen him weeping behind her, trailing after her in the streets.” (2)

Ḥammād ibn Zayd also related—from Ayyūb—who said, “I do not know anyone in Madinah or Mecca who disagrees that he was a slave.” (3)

Ibn Abī ʿArūbah narrated—from Abū Maʿshar, from Ibrāhīm, from al-Aswad, from ʿĀʾishah—who said, “On the day Barīrah was given the choice, her husband was a free man.” (4)

ʿUbaydullāh ibn ʿUmar narrated—from Nāfiʿ, from Ṣafiyyah bint Abī ʿUbayd—that Barīrah’s husband was a slave. (5)

I [the author] say: When ʿĀʾishah emancipated Barīrah—at the time they sold her—that took place while Ibn ʿAbbās was still in Madinah; he only came to her after the Year of the Conquest. As for the maid mentioned in the Incident of the Slander who was asked what she knew of ʿĀʾishah, she was someone other than Barīrah. (6)

It has also been reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to al-ʿAbbās, “O Uncle! Are you not amazed at the aversion…"