Riyad as-Salihin - On the excellence of freeing slaves

Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)

by Imam Nawawi

236. Chapter: On the excellence of freeing slaves

Allah says, "But he has not braved the steep ascent. What will convey to you what the steep ascent is? Freeing a slaveÉ" (90:11-13)

1358. Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'If anyone frees a Muslim slave, for every limb of his, Allah will free one of his own limbs from the Fire until he is set free by his setting free of the slave." [Agreed upon]

1359. Abu Dharr said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, what action is the best?' He said, 'Belief in Allah and jihad in His way.' I said, 'What is the best kind of setting free?' He said, 'That of the person most valued in the eyes of his people and the one with the highest price.'" [Agreed upon]