Abbas said: "The Quraysh are compatible matches for one another." The second narration from Ahmad is that the Arabs are compatible matches for one another, and the non-Arabs are compatible matches for one another; because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, married his two daughters to 'Uthman, and married Abu al-'As ibn al-Rabi' to Zaynab, and both were from the Banu 'Abd Shams. 'Ali married his daughter Umm Kulthum to 'Umar, and 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr ibn 'Uthman married Fatima bint al-Husayn ibn 'Ali. Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr married her sister Sukayna, and 'Abd Allah ibn 'Uthman ibn Hakim ibn Hizam also married her. Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad married Duba'a bint al-Zubayr ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, the daughter of the paternal uncle of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Abu Bakr married his sister Umm Farwa to al-Ash'ath ibn Qays, and both were Kindis. Usama ibn Zayd married Fatima bint Qays, who was from the Quraysh. Furthermore, since the non-Arabs and the mawali are compatible matches for one another—even if they vary in superiority and some are more noble than others—the Arabs are likewise.

Section: As for freedom, the correct view is that it is one of the conditions for compatibility, so a slave is not a compatible match for a free woman; because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, gave Burayra the choice when she was emancipated while married to a slave. If the option is established due to a subsequent freedom (19), it is even more appropriate for inherent freedom. Moreover, the deficiency of slavery is significant and its harm is manifest, for he is occupied away from his wife by the rights of his master; he does not pay the maintenance of the wealthy, nor does he spend on his children, and he is like someone non-existent in relation to his own self. However, it does not prevent (20) the validity of the marriage; for (21) the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to Burayra: "If you were to take him back." She said: "O Messenger of Allah, are you ordering me?" He said: "I am only an intercessor." She said: "Then I have no need for him." Reported by al-Bukhari (22). Her taking him back constitutes initiating a marriage, for it has...