I asked Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about a slave who married without the permission of his master. Imam (as) replied: "This matter is up to the master. If he wishes, he can approve the marriage, and if he wishes, he can separate them." I said: "May Allah (swt) rectify your affairs! Al-Ḥakam ibn ʿUtaybah, Ibrahim al-Nakhaʿi, and their companions say that the marriage is invalid from the outset, and the master's approval does not make it lawful." Imam (as) responded: "He only disobeyed his master but did not disobey Allah (swt). Therefore, if the master approves it, the marriage becomes valid."