Does freeing a female slave who is a disbeliever suffice?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : No, there is a reason here, a reason, unless it is said that the saying of the Messenger means that a believing woman should not be subjected to beating, even if she were a disbeliever, it would be less severe. But this is answered by the fact that every slave is owed mercy. In any case, as we said, the most cautious course, as long as a person has not done it, is to choose a believing woman. But if a person comes to ask for a ruling having already done it, we say: May Allah absolve you of your responsibility.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : No, no, it must be sewn.