Muwatta Imam Malik — Seeking Permission

Malik related to me that he heard that Abu Hurayra said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A slave has his food and clothing in the normal manner, and he is only obliged to do such work as he is capable of doing

حدثني مالك، انه بلغه ان ابا هريرة، قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " للمملوك طعامه وكسوته بالمعروف ولا يكلف من العمل الا ما يطيق

Malik related to me that he heard that Umar ibn al-Khattab went to the villages every Saturday. If he found a slave doing work which he was not capable of doing, he lightened it for him

وحدثني مالك، انه بلغه ان عمر بن الخطاب، كان يذهب الى العوالي كل يوم سبت فاذا وجد عبدا في عمل لا يطيقه وضع عنه منه

Malik related to me from his paternal uncle, Abu Suhayl ibn Malik, that his father heard Uthman ibn Affan say in a khutba, "Do not oblige the slave-girl to earn money unless she has a skill. When you oblige her to do that, she will earn money by prostitution. Do not oblige the child to earn money. If he does not find it, he will steal. Have integrity since Allah has integrity with you, and you must feed them good food

وحدثني مالك، عن عمه ابي سهيل بن مالك، عن ابيه، انه سمع عثمان بن عفان، وهو يخطب وهو يقول لا تكلفوا الامة غير ذات الصنعة الكسب فانكم متى كلفتموها ذلك كسبت بفرجها ولا تكلفوا الصغير الكسب فانه اذا لم يجد سرق وعفوا اذ اعفكم الله وعليكم من المطاعم بما طاب منها

Malik related to me from Nafi from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a slave gives good counsel to his master and worships Allah correctly, he has his reward twice over

حدثني مالك، عن نافع، عن عبد الله بن عمر، ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال " العبد اذا نصح لسيده واحسن عبادة الله فله اجره مرتين

Malik related to me that he heard that Umar ibn al-Khattab saw a female slave belonging to Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab. She was dressed like free (non-slave) women. He went to his daughter Hafsa and said, "Didn't I see your brother's slave-girl dressed like a free (non-slave) woman walking among the people and causing trouble?" Umar disapproved of that

وحدثني مالك، انه بلغه ان امة، كانت لعبد الله بن عمر بن الخطاب راها عمر بن الخطاب وقد تهيات بهيية الحراير فدخل على ابنته حفصة فقال الم ار جارية اخيك تجوس الناس وقد تهيات بهيية الحراير وانكر ذلك عمر