Barīra was a slave girl who was emancipated by ʿĀʾisha bt. Abī Bakr (d. 58/678), one of the wives of the prophet Muḥammad. In a famous Prophetic ḥadīth it is recounted that Barīra was to be freed by her owners, on condition of the payment of nine ounces (of gold). Because she was unable to pay, she asked ʿĀʾisha for help. ʿĀʾisha agreed to pay the amount if the walāʾ (patronate) of the manumitted Barīra were to devolve upon her, that is, if Barīra were to become her client.