Slaves?

asalaam alaikum

Slaves

Slavery was the norms throughout the world - just like its not the norms today - when the Qur'an was being revealed. People would be taken as prisoners during wars or even outside of wars, and were treated as property which you could use and do whatever you wanted with, since they were your yours to use as you will.

Islam came and changed that, and through this - it would give slaves rights similar to free people. Yes, it didn't abolish slavery totally, this was due to the worldly conditions that were present in the world during its time, and also due to future events which would cause slavery to return in the world in the future. This is one of the reasons why Islam didn't abolish slavery totally.


Their Rights

So what rights did Islam give to slaves?

They are our brothers;

Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said about slaves: [translation of meaning];
" Those slaves are your brothers, only God gave you an upper hand over them. So let that who has his brother (i.e. slave) under him give him the same food he himself eats, and the same clothing as he himself wears. The master may not give his brother a task that is beyond his ability. If he does give him such task, let him lend him a hand."

Sahih Bukhari, Belief, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 29

So we see that slaves are similar in rights to the owner.



Can Slaves be beaten?


Abdul-Lah bin 'Umar freed a slave of his then picked a twig from the ground and said:

" I shall not receive for freeing him the worth of this in the Hereafter. I heard the Messenger of Allah say : ' If a man hits or beats his slave, his atonement is the freeing of that slave. [Reported by Muslim and Abu Dawud]





'Why didnt they reject the concept of slavery altogether when islam came?' Its not that simple because most of the time, these people were slaves only because they fought Muslims and they would have done the exact same to them if the Muslims were caught! This concept was so common in the world at that time - the same way its so uncommon in the world at todays time (- its Islam that actually removed the concept so much that we find it strange today.)

So something practical had to be done about it to slowly set people free. If Muslims said, you can go back home now after fighting us - then wouldn't the Muslims always be at the disadvantage? So by making them slaves - but respecting them, giving them similar rights - Islam changed the concept of slavery altogether in the world (but again this changed when queen Victoria came to Africa.)





Sexual relations with a female slave?

So what is the proof for having intercourse with ones own female slaves?


And those who guard their chastity,

Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed,


[Quran Al Ma'arij 70: 29-30]



Why the number of concubines weren't restricted to a certain number?

Islam encouraged cohabitation with slaves as another avenue to liberation for them and their children. this may be particularly significant if it is realized that the slave's offspring were often the children of wealthy owners who kept slaves for domestic purposes. It is further suggested that, to enhance the cause of liberation, Islam did not limit the number of slaves with whom a master may cohabit because the greater the number - the closer to freedom they become.

So the more slaves kept, the greater the freedom of slaves (because he has alot) at his death, so alot of these slaves are then free at his death.


Some people might say that anyone could buy slaves so sexuality was rampant, but this isn't true - since slaves were expensive.




Methods of Freedom


Slaves can be freed in 4 ways;

4 types of freedom;


The first type is that the owner can free his slave for the sake of Allah. This makes the slave a free man/woman.

Al Mudabir; master promised freedom when master died.

Al Mukaatab; slave made contract to free himself when payed an agreed amount

also see tafsir of Surah Nur 24:33;
Tafsir.com Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Um al Walad; female slave had child [boy or girl] is then freed after death of owner.


the sources from hadith which mention these types of freedom;
http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/anti-islamic-refutations/female-slaves-433/page3/#post7944



Marriage is encouraged more in islam though:


Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3 [book of knowledge], Number 97:

Narrated Abu Burda's father:

Allah's Apostle said "Three persons will have a double reward:

1. A Person from the people of the scriptures who believed in his prophet (Jesus or Moses) and then believed in the Prophet Muhammad (i .e. has embraced Islam).
2. A slave who discharges his duties to Allah and his master.
3. A master of a woman-slave who teaches her good manners and educates her in the best possible way (the religion) and manumits her and then marries her."





also read;

islamic slavery; a refutation of doubts:
The Islamic position on Slavery: A refutation of doubts :: load-islam

http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/quran-hadith-prophet-muhammad/islam-permit-muslim-men-rape-slave-girls-1832/

Make any editions or comments on what we can change or add insha Allah.