iDawah.com: Slave Women.

[- Qatada -]

Asalaamu alaykum waRahmatulah waBarakatuh.


iDawah.com: Slave Women in Islam.


Slavery - in Rape, Expulsion, or Prison:

A nation who faces war, their men will be killed or imprisoned [in the war], and their women will go through either of these 3 circumstances;

1 - Imprisonment - because she was part of her people who were at war with the Victor. (she will most likely be raped in prison, and this happens even in the modern world. [search Abu Ghraib prison if in doubt.] )

2 - Exhile - because the defeated peoples property has all been taken by the enemy. (so she will have to run to another land, where she will probably also face harm and probably rape . And she will not have a male provider. [if in doubt - study the effects of the Iraq war on Muslim women. (many have had to become prostitutes because their men have been killed) .])


3 - Being a Concubine - this is the best solution. She has a Believing male provider , she has similar rights to a wife. She learns about the Justice of Islam from the Muslims in an Islamic society. She soon earns her freedom [see Um al Walad ]. And the male who is Responsible over her may even; teach her, free her and marry her (since that is rewardable for him - as stated in the Qur'an and Ahadith [see Quran surah Nur 24:32 )

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)




What will happen to the Prisoner Women in Islam?

Step 1: The Ameer [Leader of the State] of the Believers will gather the Property of the territory after the War has ended (including; the Women, Children and Wealth etc.) & take them back to the Islamic state.
Note: This is the only case in which ‘slave women’ are taken (i.e. through the Ameer and him distributing them in an Islamic state.)

Step 2: The Ameer will fairly Distribute the Wealth (including the Women and Children) amongst the Believers within the Islamic state.
NOTE: If the woman’s husband is still alive, her marriage will automatically become Annulled [cancelled] once the Believers have returned to the Islamic state.*

Step 3: The woman will become the Property of the Muslim male # who she was distributed to. *
NOTE: Wisdom should be taken by the Ameer in recognising the status of the woman before her slavery when pairing her up with a Muslim. (i.e. Safiyyah bint Huyayy was given to Prophet Muhammad, and this decision was based on her Nobility, and his Nobility. [Allah’s Messenger later freed her and married her.])

*We see that these two steps are taken to ensure that the woman does not have intimate relations with two men at one time. Since that could cause confusion on whom the child belongs to.
It also shows that Islam does not encourage Prostitution of slave women as that brings more evils in society.
# Muslim Free women do not have Male Slaves for sexual intercourse. (And would be an insult to her status of being a free woman.)

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)



Could he then force her to have Intimate relations?


As we have mentioned already - slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse.

Hilal b. Yasaf reported that a person got angry and slapped his slave-girl. Thereupon Suwaid b. Muqarrin said to him: You could find no other part (to slap) but the prominent part of her face. See I was one of the seven sons of Muqarrin, and we had but only one slave-girl. The youngest of us slapped her, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded us to set her free.

Saheeh Muslim Book 015, Number 4082.

We can easily conclude that if merely slapping a slave requires freeing them according to the Prophetic example mentioned above, then raping them is an even greater evil.




Um al Walad [Mother of the Child]:

If a female slave had a child [boy or girl] from the master, she is then freed after the death of her Master.

(i.e. Mariyya al Qibtiyya became free at the death of Allah’s Messenger because she had a son called Ibraheem from Prophet Muhammad – Ibraheem died within the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad).

If she does not have a child, then she does not be freed, and still remains a slave in the family. However, she could find another means of freeing herself; See: Means for Freedom



Why is there no Limit to the Amount of Slave Women?

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 (i.e. for household help.) 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. [see Um al Walad].

By placing no limit - it is increasingly beneficial to the slave women because instead of having to become Prostitutes for earning money or fulfilling their sexual needs, all slave women -effected by war- will have a household in which the male responsible over her will; provide for her, and fulfills all her needs for her (including; food, shelter, clothing, and also fulfill her emotional and intimate needs etc.)

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)




The Strong Encouragement from the Quran & Sunnah to Free & Marry your Slave:

Narrated Abu Burda's father:

Allah's Apostle said "Three persons will have a double reward [on Judgment Day]:

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 [frees] her and then marries her."

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

In the Qur’an, Allah urged the believers to marry the Slave believers;

And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

[Quran Surah Nur 24: 32]

Through the revealing of these verses, it is a known Fact – that the masses of people of Medinah –at the time of Prophet Muhammad- had freed their slaves in order to Marry them.

Encouraging Free people to Marry Slaves verses from the Quran: al Baqarah 2:221, an-Nur 24:32-33, an-Nisa 4:25.



iDawah.com: Slave Women in Islam.Asalaamu alaykum waRahmatulah waBarakatuh.


iDawah.com: Slave Women in Islam.


Slavery - in Rape, Expulsion, or Prison:

A nation who faces war, their men will be killed or imprisoned [in the war], and their women will go through either of these 3 circumstances;

1 - Imprisonment - because she was part of her people who were at war with the Victor. (she will most likely be raped in prison, and this happens even in the modern world. [search Abu Ghraib prison if in doubt.] )

2 - Exhile - because the defeated peoples property has all been taken by the enemy. (so she will have to run to another land, where she will probably also face harm and probably rape . And she will not have a male provider. [if in doubt - study the effects of the Iraq war on Muslim women. (many have had to become prostitutes because their men have been killed) .])


3 - Being a Concubine - this is the best solution. She has a Believing male provider , she has similar rights to a wife. She learns about the Justice of Islam from the Muslims in an Islamic society. She soon earns her freedom [see Um al Walad ]. And the male who is Responsible over her may even; teach her, free her and marry her (since that is rewardable for him - as stated in the Qur'an and Ahadith [see Quran surah Nur 24:32 )

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)




What will happen to the Prisoner Women in Islam?

Step 1: The Ameer [Leader of the State] of the Believers will gather the Property of the territory after the War has ended (including; the Women, Children and Wealth etc.) & take them back to the Islamic state.
Note: This is the only case in which ‘slave women’ are taken (i.e. through the Ameer and him distributing them in an Islamic state.)

Step 2: The Ameer will fairly Distribute the Wealth (including the Women and Children) amongst the Believers within the Islamic state.
NOTE: If the woman’s husband is still alive, her marriage will automatically become Annulled [cancelled] once the Believers have returned to the Islamic state.*

Step 3: The woman will become the Property of the Muslim male # who she was distributed to. *
NOTE: Wisdom should be taken by the Ameer in recognising the status of the woman before her slavery when pairing her up with a Muslim. (i.e. Safiyyah bint Huyayy was given to Prophet Muhammad, and this decision was based on her Nobility, and his Nobility. [Allah’s Messenger later freed her and married her.])

*We see that these two steps are taken to ensure that the woman does not have intimate relations with two men at one time. Since that could cause confusion on whom the child belongs to.
It also shows that Islam does not encourage Prostitution of slave women as that brings more evils in society.
# Muslim Free women do not have Male Slaves for sexual intercourse. (And would be an insult to her status of being a free woman.)

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)



Could he then force her to have Intimate relations?


As we have mentioned already - slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse.

Hilal b. Yasaf reported that a person got angry and slapped his slave-girl. Thereupon Suwaid b. Muqarrin said to him: You could find no other part (to slap) but the prominent part of her face. See I was one of the seven sons of Muqarrin, and we had but only one slave-girl. The youngest of us slapped her, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded us to set her free.

Saheeh Muslim Book 015, Number 4082.

We can easily conclude that if merely slapping a slave requires freeing them according to the Prophetic example mentioned above, then raping them is an even greater evil.




Um al Walad [Mother of the Child]:

If a female slave had a child [boy or girl] from the master, she is then freed after the death of her Master.

(i.e. Mariyya al Qibtiyya became free at the death of Allah’s Messenger because she had a son called Ibraheem from Prophet Muhammad – Ibraheem died within the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad).

If she does not have a child, then she does not be freed, and still remains a slave in the family. However, she could find another means of freeing herself; See: Means for Freedom



Why is there no Limit to the Amount of Slave Women?

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 (i.e. for household help.) 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. [see Um al Walad].

By placing no limit - it is increasingly beneficial to the slave women because instead of having to become Prostitutes for earning money or fulfilling their sexual needs, all slave women -effected by war- will have a household in which the male responsible over her will; provide for her, and fulfills all her needs for her (including; food, shelter, clothing, and also fulfill her emotional and intimate needs etc.)

Go to Top^ (Women Slaves)




The Strong Encouragement from the Quran & Sunnah to Free & Marry your Slave:

Narrated Abu Burda's father:

Allah's Apostle said "Three persons will have a double reward [on Judgment Day]:

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 [frees] her and then marries her."

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

In the Qur’an, Allah urged the believers to marry the Slave believers;

And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

[Quran Surah Nur 24: 32]

Through the revealing of these verses, it is a known Fact – that the masses of people of Medinah –at the time of Prophet Muhammad- had freed their slaves in order to Marry them.

Encouraging Free people to Marry Slaves verses from the Quran: al Baqarah 2:221, an-Nur 24:32-33, an-Nisa 4:25.



iDawah.com: Slave Women in Islam.

[- Qatada -]

Asalaamu alaykum waRahmatullaah waBarakaatuh


Slaves:

Slavery has occurred throughout history, in which one group of people have defeated and overpowered another group of people.

As a result of this – the People of the Defeated group have either been;

- Killed, or
- Imprisoned (within a Prison, or outside a Prison and kept as Slaves.)

Is Slavery Suitable Today ?

Slavery is existent today in the Modern era – although in a Corporation and Financial sense (in the Colonized countries.) [see Present Slavery]

Also in the modern era - those caught are Imprisoned (i.e. Guantanamo Bay, Belmarsh, or deported to Brutal Regimes [i.e. in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt etc] where extremely severe torture takes place in secret prisons for those caught.)


But the question arises, is ‘Past slavery’ still suitable for today’s standards according to Islam?



An Islamic Perspective:

Islam did not introduce slavery to the world, but it recognised it as a Reality which would be existent within the world, in the Past and also in the Future. Due to continuous conflict within the world – slavery would continue – as one group of people would overpower another, and take the defeated as prisoners & slaves.



Islam did not clearly forbid Slavery, otherwise – Muslims could potentially be Enslaved in war, yet what alternative would they have when they were Victors?


Options for the Muslim Leader after War:

1 - The Muslims could not always Release those who fought them for free while losing their own people in Slavery to the enemy.

2 - They could not always Kill the enemy – otherwise – the enemy may be more hostile, and similarly kill the Muslim prisoners.

3- They could not always Ransom the prisoners – otherwise – a rich enemy may always wage war and always expect freedom for their people through paying Ransom money.


4 - They could not always Imprison the enemy – otherwise – it would be a financial burden with no benefit to the Muslim population.

5 - However, they could Enslavethe prisoners – while giving them a great deal of rights – while exposing them to the beauty of a society implementing Just Islamic teachings.

This is what Islam did, and as a result – achieved a great deal of success in the past, and similarly – it would do so in the future if such application did occur.


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Rights of Slaves in Islam:

Although Islam did recognise Slavery’s existence; the Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic teachings) has an extremely Strong emphasis on Freeing slaves.


Quick Reference:

Freeing Slaves in the Quran, see; Surah al Baqarah 2:177, al-Balad 90:12-13, at-Tawbah 9:60.

Expiations for Certain Sins is to Free a Slave: an-Nisa 4:92, al-Ma’idah 5:92, al Mujadilah 58:3.

Encouraging Free people to Marry Slaves: al Baqarah 2:221, an-Nur 24:32-33, an-Nisa 4:25. [Sahih al Bukhari Vol1,Book3 (Knowledge),#97]

Prophetic Statements in regard to Slaves and their Rights:

Narrated Al-Ma'rur:

At Ar-Rabadha I met Abu Dhar who was wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a similar one. I asked about the reason for it. He replied, "I abused a person by calling his mother with bad names."

The Prophet said to me, 'O Abu Dhar! Did you abuse him by calling his mother with bad names You still have some characteristics of ignorance. Your slaves are your brothers and Allah has put them under your command. So whoever has a brother under his command should feed him of what he eats and dress him of what he wears. Do not ask them (slaves) to do things beyond their capacity (power) and if you do so, then help them.' "

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 30.


Hilal b. Yasaf reported that a person got angry and slapped his slave-girl. Thereupon Suwaid b. Muqarrin said to him: You could find no other part (to slap) but the prominent part of her face. See I was one of the seven sons of Muqarrin, and we had but only one slave-girl. The youngest of us slapped her, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded us to set her free.

Saheeh Muslim Book 015, Number 4082.

Means for Freedom:

There are 4 ways a Slave could earn his/her freedom;

1 - Al Mudabir: The Master promised freedom for the slave when the Master died.

2 - Al Mukaatab: The slave made contract to free himself when he pays an agreed amount of money to the Master. [see tafsir of Surah Nur 24:33.]


Sahl bin Hunaif narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said; "He who assists a Mujahid (one who fights in Allah's cause), a debtor who is in distress (being unable to pay his debt), or a slave who made an agreement to buy his freedom, Allah will shade him, with His Shade, on the Day when there will be no shade but His." [Judgment Day]. [Related by Ahmad, and al Hakim graded it Sahih (Authentic)].


3 - Um al Walad: If a female slave had a child [boy or girl] from the master, she is then freed after death of her Master.

(i.e. Mariyya al Qibtiyya became free at the death of Allah’s Messenger because she had a son called Ibraheem from Prophet Muhammad – Ibraheem died within the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad).


4 - Free a slave for Allah's Pleasure: The slave will be freed by the owner for no cost or favour, except to please Allah and earn His reward.

Conclusion:


1 – Islam strongly urges the freedom of slaves. Whether that is through; Releasing them, Marrying them, or Supporting them in buying their freedom.

2 – Slaves have similar rights to free people in their roles in society.

3 – Slaves are called “your Brothers” by Prophet Muhammad, and should be supported with similar; Clothing, Food and Support as your self.

4 – Even Hitting a slave requires an expiation of freeing him.


Further Reading:
Islamic Slavery: A Comparison between Islamic Slavery & Judo, Christian and Modern Slavery.




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[JPR]

Thanks, you just gave me one more reason to never become a muslim and accept Muhammad as a prophet.

Funny you don't quote the following (all taken from a muslim hadith collection website):

Sahih Muslim Book 08. Marriage

Chapter: It is permissible to have sexual intercourse with a captive woman after she is purified (of menses or delivery) in case she has a husband; her marriage is abrogated after she becomes captive.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah her pleased with him) reported that at the Battle of Hanain Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) sent an army to Autas and encountered the enemy and fought with them. Having overcome them and taken them captives, the Companions of Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) seemed to refrain from having intercourse with captive women because of their husbands being polytheists. Then Allah, Most High, sent down regarding that: "And women already married, except those whom your right hands possess (iv. 24)" (i.e. they were lawful for them when their 'Idda period came to an end).

or this one:

Chapter: Al-Azl (incomplete sexual intercourse): Coitus Interruptus.

Abu Sirma said to Abu Sa'id al Khadri (Allah he pleased with him): O Abu Sa'id, did you hear Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) mentioning al-'azl? He said: Yes, and added: We went out with Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) on the expedition to the Bi'l-Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing 'azl (Withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid conception). But we said: We are doing an act whereas Allah's Messenger is amongst us; why not ask him? So we asked Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him), and he said: It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.

Slavery, war... Hey! what about the males? What will happen to them? Why is it always about the females being "sex-slaves"? Why can't males become sex-slaves for women? I call inequity and slander (I'm being highly sarcastic here). Seriously now, your garden isn't as green as you seem to portray it.

[- Qatada -]

Funny you don't quote the following (all taken from a muslim hadith collection website):

Sahih Muslim Book 08. Marriage

Chapter: It is permissible to have sexual intercourse with a captive woman after she is purified (of menses or delivery) in case she has a husband; her marriage is abrogated after she becomes captive.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah her pleased with him) reported that at the Battle of Hanain Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) sent an army to Autas and encountered the enemy and fought with them. Having overcome them and taken them captives, the Companions of Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) seemed to refrain from having intercourse with captive women because of their husbands being polytheists. Then Allah, Most High, sent down regarding that: "And women already married, except those whom your right hands possess (iv. 24)" (i.e. they were lawful for them when their 'Idda period came to an end).

or this one:

Chapter: Al-Azl (incomplete sexual intercourse): Coitus Interruptus.

Abu Sirma said to Abu Sa'id al Khadri (Allah he pleased with him): O Abu Sa'id, did you hear Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) mentioning al-'azl? He said: Yes, and added: We went out with Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) on the expedition to the Bi'l-Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing 'azl (Withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid conception). But we said: We are doing an act whereas Allah's Messenger is amongst us; why not ask him? So we asked Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him), and he said: It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.

Yes this is true, and I did not hide it. Infact, on that same site, I addressed this issue;
Women Beautify themselves before War:

John McClintock said:

Women who followed their father and husbands to the war put on their finest dresses and ornaments previous to an [war] engagement, in the hope of finding favor in the eyes of their captors in case of a defeat.

(John McClintock, James Strong, "Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature" [Harper & Brothers, 1894], p. 782)

It seems clear from Research that Women would beautify themselves before battle for two reasons;

1) to Support their Men and 'Cheer them on'.
2) If their men lost - they would be beautiful and therefore valuable and Expensive for the one who caught her.

But like real life, it is possible that a woman may not be pleased with the one who takes her.


Could he then force her to have Intimate relations?

As we have mentioned already - slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse. There are more options for the male than just forcing her to have Intimate relations.

Other Options:

1 - Isn't it possible that if he saw her unwilling to get along - he could have sold to her to another Muslim for a price?
2 - He could have purchased another slave girl who was willing to have sex with him?
3 - Or he would have waited for her to consent, for by that time he would have treated her very nicely and convinced her that Islam is true and that it was her tribe's fault for starting the battle, etc. Yes these things are possible.

http://idawah.com/refutations/slaves.html

Thanks, you just gave me one more reason to never become a muslim and accept Muhammad as a prophet.

Slavery isn't a Muslim issue, we have seen above how Slave women have a great amount of rights in Islam.


On the other hand, Christianity has alot more harshness in regards to Slaves. And it has alot less mercy in regard to prisoners and war.

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property. (From the NIV Bible, Exodus 21:20-21)"

Hilal b. Yasaf reported that a person got angry and slapped his slave-girl. Thereupon Suwaid b. Muqarrin said to him: You could find no other part (to slap) but the prominent part of her face. See I was one of the seven sons of Muqarrin, and we had but only one slave-girl. The youngest of us slapped her, and Allah's Messenger (Muhammad) (may peace be upon him) commanded us to set her free.

Saheeh Muslim Book 015, Number 4082.

That is sufficient to prove my point.



Now the Bible also accepts Female and Male slavery;

Leviticus 25:44-46 "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly."

So you have to question; Isn't Islam better in Slave treatment than the Bible? Shouldn't you then accept Islam? It would be better for you and contains more truths and less doubts, I assure you.

Slavery, war... Hey! what about the males? What will happen to them? Why is it always about the females being "sex-slaves"? Why can't males become sex-slaves for women? I call inequity and slander (I'm being highly sarcastic here).

It is not befitting for a free woman to have a slave male who she has intimate relations with. Rather, she will have intimacy with her husband who is of her own standing and rank in marriage. That will give certainty to who ther father is of her child. And most probably make her feel more secure in one relationship.

You should know this because this is also the Biblical perspective on the issue.

Seriously now, your garden isn't as green as you seem to portray it.

Islam is more clearer and greener :) And I don't mean this sarcastically, I sincerely hope you benefitted positively from the above, and I hope it made you see Christianity and Islam in a new light.




Peace.

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[Futuwwa]

Could he then force her to have Intimate relations?


As we have mentioned already - slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse.

Hilal b. Yasaf reported that a person got angry and slapped his slave-girl. Thereupon Suwaid b. Muqarrin said to him: You could find no other part (to slap) but the prominent part of her face. See I was one of the seven sons of Muqarrin, and we had but only one slave-girl. The youngest of us slapped her, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded us to set her free.

Saheeh Muslim Book 015, Number 4082.

We can easily conclude that if merely slapping a slave requires freeing them according to the Prophetic example mentioned above, then raping them is an even greater evil.

If you intend to make a case that sexual abuse of slaves is haraam (which I agree it is), the following ayat might also contribute towards that

[024:033] Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which God has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them)

[JPR]

Islam is more clearer and greener And I don't mean this sarcastically, I sincerely hope you benefitted positively from the above, and I hope it made you see Christianity and Islam in a new light.

Yes, you did. Thanks for the info. Although I would just like to point one thing: Jews were required to free their slaves after 7 years. If you read the NT a bit, you'll find that slavery isn't well looked upon. OT= old laws, NT= new covenant for the whole world so quoting from the OT doesn't really make sense for me because christiannity = NT.

What scares me about your post though is that the Qu'ran is supposed to be a book for the past, present and future. For me, slavery in the present and the future is unacceptable. If we had to make a decision about slavery based solely on either the Qu'ran, it would be acceptable, but based solely on the NT, it wouldn't.

Another note: I still think war (any form of it) is "haraam", to use arabic terminology, therefore the whole concept of slaves as spoils of war is wrong from the get go.

Peace!

[Perseveranze]

Yes, you did. Thanks for the info. Although I would just like to point one thing: Jews were required to free their slaves after 7 years. If you read the NT a bit, you'll find that slavery isn't well looked upon. OT= old laws, NT= new covenant for the whole world so quoting from the OT doesn't really make sense for me because christiannity = NT.

What scares me about your post though is that the Qu'ran is supposed to be a book for the past, present and future. For me, slavery in the present and the future is unacceptable. If we had to make a decision about slavery based solely on either the Qu'ran, it would be acceptable, but based solely on the NT, it wouldn't.

Another note: I still think war (any form of it) is "haraam", to use arabic terminology, therefore the whole concept of slaves as spoils of war is wrong from the get go.

Peace!

Last time I checked, the Quran only tells you how to treat slaves and to free them. No where does it encourage you to aquire or keep them.

In todays world, under Shariah law, Slavery would not be allowed.

[Futuwwa]

Well, neither does it forbid any particular means of acquiring them.

Looking at the Prophet's example, he enslaved people who were pretty much the leftovers of defeated tribes. Mostly war widows and orphans who would have had a quite bleak existence as free. The Prophet did not forbid slavery, he used it to integrate defeated people into the Islamic society. Lots of people entered his household as slaves, and most were freed after a few years at most.

[- Qatada -]

Yes, you did. Thanks for the info. Although I would just like to point one thing: Jews were required to free their slaves after 7 years.

According to the OT, it is stated;

Leviticus 25:44-46 "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly."

If you read the NT a bit, you'll find that slavery isn't well looked upon.

In Islam, freedom is preferred over slavery (hence the strong recommendations in the Quran to free them.) But due to the reality of war, and due to the reality of people being caught in war - I have explained in the original post that slavery is the most suitable and productive option.

OT= old laws, NT= new covenant for the whole world so quoting from the OT doesn't really make sense for me because christiannity = NT.

According to Christianity, Jesus is the same 'god' who commanded the teachings of the Old AND New Testament. Although I do not believe Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon them) were gods', rather they were honorable servants and chosen people of God like the rest of the honorable Messengers' of God.

But due to you believing that the OT was revelation from God, you cannot criticize the teachings of the Qur'an, otherwise you are criticizing the God you believe in.

What scares me about your post though is that the Qu'ran is supposed to be a book for the past, present and future. For me, slavery in the present and the future is unacceptable. If we had to make a decision about slavery based solely on either the Qu'ran, it would be acceptable, but based solely on the NT, it wouldn't.

I have explained in the original post how slavery is a reality and a necessary consequence of war.


I said;

1 - The Muslims could not always Release those who fought them for free while losing their own people in Slavery to the enemy.

2 - They could not always Kill the enemy – otherwise – the enemy may be more hostile, and similarly kill the Muslim prisoners.

3- They could not always Ransom the prisoners – otherwise – a rich enemy may always wage war and always expect freedom for their people through paying Ransom money.

4 - They could not always Imprison the enemy – otherwise – it would be a financial burden with no benefit to the Muslim population.

5 - However, they could Enslave the prisoners – while giving them a great deal of rights – while exposing them to the beauty of a society implementing Just Islamic teachings.

This is what Islam did, and as a result – achieved a great deal of success in the past, and similarly – it would do so in the future if such application did occur.

Another note: I still think war (any form of it) is "haraam", to use arabic terminology, therefore the whole concept of slaves as spoils of war is wrong from the get go.

I agree that war is not purely good, but I have explained in the original post how war is a reality which all nations have to face for self-existence and sovereignety. If they do not, then they will face destruction, so why would send a Guidance which does not allow a people to defend themselves?

Peace!

And to you too.

[al yunan]

Assalamu Alaikum to all,
Slavery may be an ugly word but that's English, in Arabic it's just a word.
Spoils of war remain as spoils of war no matter what era we live in.
Even though most male Muslims wont admit it openly, should war be discussed the first thought is female slaves not wealth and that's the truth.
It's about time that we realised as Muslims there is no placating and pleasing non Muslims unless we leave our Din and become like them. Islam is what it is and we are who we are.
"Slavery" was abolished by colonialists not by Islam as Shariah remains.
There is no need for any self respecting Muslim to apologise for our chosen way of life it's sickening and Thalim.
May Allah S.W.T protects us from ourselves.
Masalam