Chapter: Rulings Concerning the Umm al-Walad

An umm al-walad is a slave-woman who has borne her owner a child possessing a human form, even if the features are only faintly discernible.

She is emancipated upon the master’s death, even1 if she is the only property he owns.

If someone acquires a pregnant slave and then has intercourse with her, it becomes forbidden to sell that child, and the child must be set free2.

Should he say to his slave-girl, “You are my umm al-walad,” or even, “Your hand is my umm al-walad,” she immediately gains that status3. The same applies if he says to her son, “You are my son,” or “Your hand is my son”; paternity is thereby established.

If the master dies without stating whether she conceived the child while under his ownership or beforehand, she does not become an umm al-walad unless corroborating evidence exists.

The status of umm al-walad4 is never revoked, not even if she murders her master or if a later-born child of hers does so.