Islam and Slavery

**Daanish** · 02-16-2008

Hello, this is my first post so go easy on me if i make any mistakes.

My question is what does Islam have to say about the horrible act of slavery and slave trading of any sort.

I am a strong believer in equality and freedom for each individual being on this planet (past, present, or future).

Also, what does Islam have to say about racism and hatred towards different cultures.

(Just in case : I'm not implying, blaming or pointing fingers at anyone of any religion or race.)

Daanish

**snakelegs** · 02-17-2008

don't know about slavery (it was allowed but there were laws regarding it), but here's a quote from the prophet's last sermon that should answer your second question
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

**Umar001** · 02-17-2008

Just going to point out that words contain/have connotations or baggage.

Slavery should not be thought of as the same everywhere.

When we think of slavery we thinking of the horrible images seen in the pictures of the black people and their torture. That is what slavery means to some extent to us. But that is only a form of slavery we have unfourtunetly come across in history.

**FatimaAsSideqah** · 02-17-2008

Hello to Daanish.

When Islam was reveled to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), slavery was a worldwide common social phenomenon; it was much older than Islam. Slavery was deeply rooted in every society to the extent that it was impossible to imagine a civilized society without slaves. In spite of this social fact, Islam was the first religion to recognize slavery as a social illness that needed to be addressed. Since slavery was deeply rooted in the society, Islam did not abolish it at once. Rather, Islam treated slavery in the same manner it treated other social illnesses. Islam followed the same methodology of gradual elimination in dealing with this social disease as it did with other social illnesses, for example: the prohibition of alcohol in three steps.

From the early days of the message, Islam declared the equality of all human beings, including slaves; equality in origin, equality in values, equality in destiny. Under this declaration, for the first time ever, slaves became brothers and sisters of their masters in the Islamic Ummah (community). In al-Bukhari, it was reported that the Prophet said:

"Your servants and your slaves are your brothers. Anyone who has slaves should give them from what he eats and wears. He should not charge them with work beyond their capabilities. If you must set them to hard work, in any case, I advise you to help them."

Islam forbade the traditional practice of enslaving free individuals by capturing them and selling them into slavery. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"There are three categories of people against whom I myself shall be a plaintiff on the Day of Judgment. Of those three, one is he who enslaves free men, then sells him and eats this money…"

Sister Fatima

**Ibn Abi Ahmed** · 02-17-2008

Check these links:

Slavery
http://www.islamicboard.com/127186-post2.html

**Keltoi** · 02-18-2008

Islam as a religion might have frowned upon slavery in word, but Muslims were deeply involved in the slave trade, the same as almost everyone else in the past. It was about money, as most evils are.

**aamirsaab** · 02-18-2008

Originally Posted by Keltoi

Islam as a religion might have frowned upon slavery in word, but Muslims were deeply involved in the slave trade, the same as almost everyone else in the past. It was about money, as most evils are.

Indeed. Islam actually gave the slaves rights and then went on to later abolish it (it was done through gradual stages)

**- Qatada -** · 02-18-2008

Originally Posted by Keltoi

Islam as a religion might have frowned upon slavery in word, but Muslims were deeply involved in the slave trade, the same as almost everyone else in the past. It was about money, as most evils are.

As for the treatment of slaves, let's survey here some of the rules laid down by Islam to ensure a decent and kind treatment for them.

1/ Giving them the same food and clothing as taken by their masters

Abu Dawood reports on the authority of Al-Ma'roor bin Suwaid that he said : "We entered Abu Thar's house at Al-Ribthah [7] and found him dressed in a garment called 'burd', and found his slave dressed in an identical 'burd'. So we said : ' Why don't you, 0 Abu Thar, wear that 'burd' of your slaves so that you may have a full suit, and give him instead a less sumptuous garment ?' He replied : 'I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of God be upon him say :

" 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

2/ Recognizing their dignity

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet of Repentance (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) said :

" Any one who slanders his slave with adultery, and it is a false charge, will receive on the Day of Resurrection the same punishment his slave would have received in the world had the charge been true." [8]

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."[9]

3/ A slave is given the lead in religious or mundane matters which he is skilful at.

He can be imam (i.e. to lead the prayer). Aishah had a slave who led her prayer. The believers are even ordered to heed and obey if a slave becomes their ruler, so long as he proves to be better qualified than others.

More info:
http://www.load-islam.com/artical_de...Misconceptions

7 A village in the suburbs of Al-Madinah. 8 Reported by Al-Bukhari. 9 Reported by Muslim and Abu Dawood.

You can also read:

Islam & Slavery
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwaappl...hFatwaID=20686

**- Qatada -** · 02-18-2008

Looking at the first hadith - Prophetic narration, it becomes clear that slaves aren't infact slaves, they're exactly like your brothers. Giving them the same food you eat and the same clothes that you wear, while giving them help in the work that they do for you - this is better than being a servant even in todays times.

Regarding racism, as snakelegs quoted, the final Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said [translation of the meaning]:

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

[Sahih Muslim]

Peace.

**Keltoi** · 02-18-2008

Like I said before, the words contained in the Quran don't always equal those words being put into practice. Arabs were very involved with the slave trade, and they weren't treated like a long lost brother either. Granted, most of the activity involving Arab slavers had to do with capture and sale to foreign interests, not necessarily their own personal use.

**vpb** · 02-18-2008

i think there's a mistake on the title. it should be slavery.

**rabarbara2008** · 02-19-2008

good topic. I really like it to gain knowledge form such interesting discussions. slavery is something we don't think about much these days, so to read about it is refreshing.

**Muezzin** · 02-19-2008

Originally Posted by vpb

i think there's a mistake on the title. it should be slavery.

Fixed it like a turbo-powered handyman.

**good ol' faith** · 02-20-2008

Well, The bible says something about slavery. Hang on
*gets bible out*

1 Timothy 6:1
All those who are under the yoke of slavery must have unqualified respect for their masters, so that the name of God and our teaching is not brought into disrepute.

Tt 2:9
Slaves must be obedient to their masters in everything, and do what is wanted without argument.

Tt 2:10
And there must be no pilfering.

Tt 2:10
They must show complete honesty at all times...

Tt 2:10
...so that they are a credit in every way to the teaching of God our Saviour.

1 Peter 2:18
Slaves, you should obey your masters respectfully, not only those who are kind and reasonable but also those who are difficult to please.

1 Corinthians 7:21
Even if you have a chance of freedom...

1 Corinthians 7:21
...you should prefer to make full use of your condition as a slave.

I do hope this is relevant.

**vpb** · 02-21-2008

Fixed it like a turbo-powered handyman.

CORE DUO ??

**Daanish** · 04-02-2008

Sorry i took so long to reply, but i had been researching.

So, i have been reading all of your replies over and over again, and you all seem to be saying that Islam provided slaves with rights and tried to solve a social problem that had been there before Islam. But seriously don't take this to heart but do you guys know what the word "OXYMORON" means. By saying that Islam provided SLAVES with RIGHTS that is one of the biggest contradictions i have ever heard. If you provided a salve with rights it would not be a slave anymore that is agreeable right? Because you can never give a person half of the rights.

Also another point many of you are making is the fact that freeing all of the slaves would have destroyed the economy and created a large number of beggars, that is why Mohamed did not solve the problem immediately. Okay then let me get this straight he was willing to sacrifice a HUGE number of people's rights just so the rich and middle class could feed there families and would not have to pay workers and feed the poor.

Many of you will make the argument that this was a problem at the time and that a solution like that is a very modern thinking style, so if you make that argument are you admitting to the fact that Islam (which is a 110% perfect religion, according to Muslims) did not have an answer to solve this problem as well. If it does have a solution why was it not implemented immediately.

That is all i will say for now, if you cannot answer my answer so please do not give me an answer that has nothing to do with this topic.

Sorry if i have offended someone but a broken heart can never amount to a wasted life.

Daanish.

p.s. I will be posting more questions relating parent-child relations towards Religion or Non Religion choices of the child.(Do not answer this parent-child question yet.) But feel free to reply the above inquiries.

**Daanish** · 04-02-2008

Originally Posted by good ol' faith

Well, The bible says something about slavery. Hang on
*gets bible out*

1 Timothy 6:1
All those who are under the yoke of slavery must have unqualified respect for their masters, so that the name of God and our teaching is not brought into disrepute.

Tt 2:9
Slaves must be obedient to their masters in everything, and do what is wanted without argument.

Tt 2:10
And there must be no pilfering.

Tt 2:10
They must show complete honesty at all times...

Tt 2:10
...so that they are a credit in every way to the teaching of God our Saviour.

1 Peter 2:18
Slaves, you should obey your masters respectfully, not only those who are kind and reasonable but also those who are difficult to please.

1 Corinthians 7:21
Even if you have a chance of freedom...

1 Corinthians 7:21
...you should prefer to make full use of your condition as a slave.

I do hope this is relevant.

SORRY "ol' Faith" but i couldn't resist. Reading your reply has made me confused, are you saying that Christianity SUPPORTS slavery because that would be atrocious and disgusting.:enough!:

But seriously after i post this you will probably prove me wrong so i will not make any assumptions unless if i have to:X.

Happily awaiting your reply. Sorry if i take long to reply, its because i am currently busy with trying to make a smooth transition from High School to University.

Take Care!

Arigato gosaimasu!

**Yanal** · 04-03-2008

Asalam alaykum.
Well we isn't the correct word. Because many of us are going to reply in our opinion.So i will say I am speaking for myself.
We do consider racism to be a cruel action to be commiting but people do that, even muslims( terriosts as muslims more likely). I do not think anyone has the right to be racism against other culture and religons even if they have the wrong religon.
That is only my opinion.
Khudafiz
Sincerly, ****

**aamirsaab** · 04-03-2008

Originally Posted by Daanish

Many of you will make the argument that this was a problem at the time and that a solution like that is a very modern thinking style, so if you make that argument are you admitting to the fact that Islam (which is a 110% perfect religion, according to Muslims) did not have an answer to solve this problem as well. If it does have a solution why was it not implemented immediately.

Righty-Ohhhhh!

The thing with slavery was that it was very common in the arab world (before, during and after the Islamic period). What Islam did first and foremost was give them rights (this was a huge thing back then considering slaves were treated really badly) - they were more of servants as opposed to what we usually think of as slaves in terms of their rights, how they were treated and so on and so forth. To completely eradicate slavery would have taken time any attempt to do it immediately would not have yielded the ideal result (i.e NO SLAVERY)- it's pretty much the same deal with alcohol prohibition and it's interesting to note that where an instant prohibition was tried, it didn't work (America ----> moonshine, gangster era etc). In contrast, the Islamic ruling on alcohol went through stages and worked. So in a similar way, the ruling to slavery came about.

One important thing to note was that free men at the time could not be made into slaves and that slaves could become free men (I'm not 100% sure as to what they had to do to achieve this tho).

Now to readress the point about not immediate eradication. The people would not have accepted it (remember, slavery was almost like a cultural/traditional thing at the time - to change that one would have to take baby-steps to convince those carried it out; the first baby step was giving them rights - essentially turning them from slave to servant). The solution had to be progressive because of the situation.

**Froggy** · 02-28-2010

Originally Posted by aamirsaab

Righty-Ohhhhh!

The thing with slavery was that it was very common in the arab world (before, during and after the Islamic period). What Islam did first and foremost was give them rights (this was a huge thing back then considering slaves were treated really badly) - they were more of servants as opposed to what we usually think of as slaves in terms of their rights, how they were treated and so on and so forth. To completely eradicate slavery would have taken time any attempt to do it immediately would not have yielded the ideal result (i.e NO SLAVERY)- it's pretty much the same deal with alcohol prohibition and it's interesting to note that where an instant prohibition was tried, it didn't work (America ----> moonshine, gangster era etc). In contrast, the Islamic ruling on alcohol went through stages and worked. So in a similar way, the ruling to slavery came about.

One important thing to note was that free men at the time could not be made into slaves and that slaves could become free men (I'm not 100% sure as to what they had to do to achieve this tho).

Now to readress the point about not immediate eradication. The people would not have accepted it (remember, slavery was almost like a cultural/traditional thing at the time - to change that one would have to take baby-steps to convince those carried it out; the first baby step was giving them rights - essentially turning them from slave to servant). The solution had to be progressive because of the situation.

Islam abolished alcohol in a single generation, yet slavery and slave trade remained widespread until the 19th century. Why is that?