The Ruling on Picking Up a Young Slave

The questioner : A young slave is like a sheep in the permissibility of picking him up, because he can take care of himself.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Yes, because he cannot take care of himself. As for donkeys, our companions classified them with the first type, because they have strength, so they are similar to them.

The Shaykh : Regarding the young slave, there is a point of consideration in limiting ourselves to the permissibility of picking him up. If the young slave is of discerning age or an adolescent, he might give you information about his master, and you would know his master, unlike a sheep or its like. Also, the danger of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) regarding a young slave is greater than the danger regarding a sheep, especially if this boy is handsome, for then it is a great fitnah. Therefore, it is not appropriate to say that he is like a sheep; rather, he is more sacred and deserving of respect.