Slavery In Islam

Table of Contents

To fully grasp the concept of slavery, it is essential to first understand the state of the world before the revelation of the Quran. Slavery was deeply ingrained in societies, with human lives being treated as mere commodities, and oppression prevailing without restraint. It was a system imposed upon mankind by ruthless individuals who sought power and control. However, with the arrival of Prophet Muhammad, significant reforms were introduced, gradually transforming the institution of slavery. Through his teachings and actions, he laid the foundation for justice, compassion, and the eventual eradication of oppressive practices, bringing humanity closer to equality and dignity,

Before the Quran, the world was ruled by Christians, Jews, Hindus, and powerful empires. In Arabia, the Quraysh tribe held significant power in Makkah, controlling trade and the Kaaba, while Bedouin Arabs lived a nomadic lifestyle in the desert. Both the Quraysh and the Bedouins practiced idolatry, worshiping multiple gods and following ancestral traditions. To understand the historical context, we must examine their actions and influence.

Did Islam start slavery in the first place?

It is important to note that Islam did not invent the practice of slavery. Rather, slavery was a widespread and longstanding institution in many societies around the world, including pre-Islamic Arabia. When Prophet Muhammad emerged in the 7th century, the institution of slavery was already well-established, and it continued in various forms under Islamic rule. The Qur’an and the Hadith (sayings and actions of Muhammad) contain several passages that regulate the practice of slavery and provide guidance on how slaves were to be treated. According to Islamic tradition, slaves were to be treated with kindness and respect, and they were granted certain rights and protections. The Qur’an also encourages the freeing of slaves as an act of piety and good deeds, and it states that those who free slaves will receive a reward from God.

The Existence of Slavery in Arabia

Sunan Ibn Majah 2517 Jabir bin `Abdullah was heard to say:
“We used to sell our slave women and the mothers of our children (Umahat Awaldina) when the Prophet (ﷺ) was still living among us, and we did not see anything wrong with that.”

This hadith confirms the existence of slavery in Arabia during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). Even when the Prophet was among them, people still used to sell their women, mothers, and children. The hadith shows that slavery existed at that time, but it does not state that the Prophet approved of it. Instead, the narrator mentions that the people themselves saw nothing wrong with selling women and children. It does not say that the Prophet also saw nothing wrong; rather, it describes what people were already practicing as a continuation of their long-standing customs, Now, let’s discuss the hadith about what the Prophet did for people who were already enslaved and those being sold as slaves. I will add reference from the Bible at the end to show that the Bible itself acknowledges slavery, as it was considered God’s punishment according to biblical teachings,

Sahih Muslim 1623a
Nu’man b. Bashir reported that his father brought him to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said: I have donated this slave of mine to my son. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Have you donated to every one of your sons (a slave) like this? He said: No. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace he upon him) said: Then take him back.

This hadith shows that donating a slave was common at that time. The Prophet ﷺ did not allow it in this case because it could lead the slave to suffer. He only allowed such actions when he saw that the other person could treat the slave better. Since slavery was cultural, he didn’t ban it all at once, but instead reformed the system gradually and opened the way to freedom, In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ compared the slave to a child – meaning, if you wouldn’t gift one of your children without treating the others equally, then how can you give away a slave unfairly? He placed the slave on a similar emotional level, showing how they were to be valued like family.

Islam’s Ethical Reforms on Slavery

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 2227
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah says, ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection: -1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous. -2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price, -3. And one who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.

Sahih al-Bukhari 30
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.’ “

This hadith highlights the transformation of societal values in Arabia under the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ). It shows that people used to insult their slaves by calling their mothers with bad names, a practice that the Prophet did not allow. Instead, he emphasized kindness and brotherhood, reminding people that slaves are their brothers whom Allah has placed under their care. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed that they should be treated with dignity, fed with the same food, clothed with the same clothes, and not overburdened beyond their capacity. This hadith reflects how Islam worked to change the cruelty of the society that had inherited harsh traditions from ancient paganism and previous religious practices.

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 97:
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The best of you are those who are best to their slaves, and the most blessed of you are the most blessed in their provision to them.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 7138
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Surely! Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges: The Imam (ruler) of the people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the guardian of his family (household) and is responsible for his subjects; a woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and of his children and is responsible for them; and the slave of a man is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. Surely, everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for his charges.”

The meaning of this hadith is that everyone has a responsibility and is accountable for what is entrusted to them. The Prophet (ﷺ) is emphasizing that leadership, guardianship, and authority are not about power or ownership, but about duty and care. A ruler is responsible for his people, meaning he must govern with justice and ensure their well-being. A husband is responsible for his wife and family, meaning he must provide, protect, and care for them with love and fairness, A wife is responsible for managing the home and raising children, meaning she must maintain the household and nurture the family, A slave (referring to those who already existed in society at that time) is responsible for his master’s property, meaning he must take care of it with honesty and sincerity, This hadith does not mean that people are the property of one another. Instead, it means that everyone is in a position of trust and must fulfill their duties faithfully. Islam did not encourage the continuation of slavery but rather sought to transform the status of slaves, ensuring their fair treatment, education, and eventual freedom.

Sahih al-Bukhari 1463
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim.”

This hadith makes it clear that during that time, Muslims who had slaves or bought them from cruel Jewish tribes, the pagan Quraysh, or others were not required to pay Zakat on them. Instead, these slaves were to live among Muslims as part of their households, receiving better treatment and opportunities for freedom Sahih al-Bukhari 30

Sahih al-Bukhari 1504
Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa’ of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr

This hadith makes it clear that whether a person is a slave or a free Muslim, they are treated equally in matters of Zakat-ul-Fitr. Both are required to give the same amount, one Sa’ of dates or barley, without any extra burden placed on the slave. This ensured that slaves were not exploited or forced to do more for their masters. Instead, when it came to obligations, they were considered equal. This ruling also removed past pagan practices of the Christians, Jews, and Arabs, where slaves were often treated as inferior and overburdened, reinforcing Islam’s stance on fairness and dignity for all, It is important to note that these changes did not happen in a single day. Instead, they developed gradually over time. When establishing a new law, it is not possible to instantly abolish all previous laws, as this would require forcing people to change their thoughts immediately. Such an approach would mean that God alters His divine plan and removes free will entirely, which goes against the fundamental principle of human choice and gradual guidance.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2283
The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited the earnings of slave girls (through prostitution).

This hadith highlights the reform brought by the Prophet (ﷺ) in a society where women and children were sold into slavery by Arabs, including the Jews living in Arabia, who followed what was approved in their scriptures. The Bible itself permitted selling daughters as slaves, as stated in Exodus 21:7: “If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. This practice was common among past societies. However, when Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) came, he made it clear that earning money through such exploitation, especially prostitution, was strictly forbidden. This applied to both Muslims and non-Muslims, ensuring that those who had newly embraced Islam or even those who were still non-Muslim could no longer profit from such immoral practices.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2547 Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any slave who observes Allah’s right and his master’s right will get a double reward.”

This hadith makes it clear that Islam aimed to end slavery gradually by focusing on education, good treatment, and eventual freedom for those who were already enslaved. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not say “he who buys or sells a slave-girl,” but rather addressed those who already had enslaved individuals due to the existing social system. The hadith emphasizes that a master must teach good manners, provide education, and improve the condition of the enslaved person. Since these individuals had already been sold by cruel people in the past, they were required to obey their current master, not as a means of forced labor, but as part of a structured transition towards freedom and personal development, This does not mean that a master had the right to exploit or use them for financial gain. Instead, the hadith forbids previous forms of forced labor and trade, making it clear that enslaved individuals should learn, improve themselves, and prepare for freedom. Once they had been taught and nurtured, the master had no right to sell them again. Instead, he was obligated to either free them or marry them (himself or to someone else), ensuring their dignified integration into society, This hadith highlights Islam’s gradual abolition of slavery by prioritizing education, ethical treatment, and eventual freedom, rather than reinforcing oppressive practices.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2548 Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “A pious slave gets a double reward.” Abu Huraira added: By Him in Whose Hands my soul is but for Jihad (i.e. holy battles), Hajj, and my duty to serve my mother, I would have loved to die as a slave.

This hadith was misused by a monster who added it to his website to distort its meaning and spread falsehoods. However, a closer look makes it clear that this hadith is not about general slavery at that time. Instead, it refers to being a servant of Allah, as Abu Huraira himself expressed his willingness to be a “slave” in devotion to God. In Islam, all human beings are considered servants (slaves) of Allah, emphasizing submission to His will, Even if this hadith were referring to an enslaved person, the Prophet (ﷺ) specifically mentioned a pious slave, meaning someone who does not engage in immoral activities but instead learns how to be good, seeks education, follows Islam, and eventually marries. This makes it clear that Islam encouraged moral and spiritual growth, not exploitation or oppression, Thus, the way this hadith was used by this monster on his website is misleading and deceptive. It does not justify slavery in any form but rather highlights the virtue of devotion to Allah and righteousness, whether one is free or in servitude.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2550
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If a slave serves his Saiyid (i.e. master) sincerely and worships his Lord (Allah) perfectly, he will get a double reward.”

This hadith, found in Sahih al-Bukhari 2550, is closely related to Sahih al-Bukhari 2547, and both provide guidance on the treatment and responsibilities of enslaved individuals who already existed in society at that time. The hadith does not instruct people to buy new slaves but instead addresses those who already had enslaved individuals under their care, The phrase “serves his master sincerely” does not imply forced labor or exploitation. Rather, it means fulfilling one’s responsibilities with honesty, integrity, and sincerity, while also worshipping Allah perfectly. This highlights that an enslaved person who remains faithful to their duties and devoted to Allah earns a double reward—one for their sincerity in worldly obligations and another for their devotion to Allah, The context aligns with Sahih al-Bukhari 30, which emphasizes that masters must treat enslaved individuals as family, providing them with the same food and clothing they use themselves. The role of the master was not that of an oppressor but rather a guardian, responsible for their well-being, education, and eventual freedom. This hadith also makes it clear that enslaved individuals were not to engage in immoral activities (such as prostitution, which was common in pre-Islamic societies). Instead, they were to learn righteousness, receive education, and prepare for freedom. Islam introduced a gradual abolition of slavery, promoting fair treatment, moral development, and eventual emancipation, rather than reinforcing oppression.

Sunan Abi Dawud 3937
A man emancipated his share in a slave. The Prophet (ﷺ) allowed his (full) emancipation, and required him to pay the rest of his price.

The hadith shows that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) encouraged the full emancipation of slaves. When one owner freed his share of a slave, the Prophet ensured that the slave would not remain partially enslaved. Instead, he required the one who freed his share to pay the remaining owners so that the slave could be completely free This hadith also demonstrates the existence of slavery and how multiple people could own a single individual. However, slavery did not originate from the Quran or Hadith; rather, it was a common practice among the Arabs at that time. Despite the Torah being revealed 1,500 years earlier and the Gospel 600 years earlier, the arabs did not accept their teachings and continued such practices, Why didn’t the Torah and the Gospel resolve the issue of slavery? This question remains significant. Fundamentally, it seems that certain groups throughout history, including some today, have sought to maintain such systems for their own benefit, ensuring that half of the world remains under oppression.

Forbidding Unjust Beating of Slaves

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 5204
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day.”

This hadith highlights that slavery and wife-beating were common in pre-Islamic society. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) discouraged such mistreatment, emphasizing that even in an environment where slavery existed, slaves were not to be treated with cruelty. Exodus 21:20 (Bible) This biblical verse shows that beating slaves was legally permitted, treating them as property. In contrast, Islam set clear restrictions and rules to ensure humane treatment.

Sahih Muslim 1657b
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who beats a slave without a cognizable offense or slaps him (without any serious fault), then expiation for it is that he should set him free.”

This hadith makes it clear that unjustly beating a slave was forbidden. If a master mistreated a slave without a valid reason, he was no longer worthy of ownership and had to free the slave. This ruling ensured that masters were held accountable and that the dignity of slaves was protected.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2547 | Sahih al-Bukhari 30
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any slave who observes Allah’s right and his master’s right will get a double reward.”

Slavery existed in society, and many slaves were either sold by others for money or were poor with no means of survival. The Prophet (ﷺ) established rules to ensure that those who already had slaves must provide them with food, education, and protection from immoral exploitation. However, if a master failed in these responsibilities and instead resorted to beating, he was no longer deserving of guardianship over the slave and had to free them.

The Ruling If Such a Situation Occurs in the Future

Although slavery has been abolished worldwide, if a similar system of servitude or forced labor ever arises in the future, the same Islamic principles must be applied. Those in positions of authority over others must treat them with fairness, provide for their needs, and educate them. Any unjust beating or mistreatment would render the person unfit for control, and the individual under their authority must be granted freedom.

How These Teachings Apply Today

Slavery was gradually abolished – Islam set conditions that restricted mistreatment and promoted manumission, leading to its eventual end.
Justice in employer-employee relationships – The principles of treating subordinates with dignity now apply to labor rights, ensuring fair treatment of workers.
If servitude ever returns, the same rules apply – Oppression is forbidden, and those who unjustly mistreat others should not be in a position of power over them.

Understanding ‘What Your Right Hands Possess

The term “What your right hands possess” in the Qur’an refers to enslaved individuals, particularly those captured during warfare. Before Islam, slavery was a deeply rooted practice in society, where enslaved women were often subjected to forced sexual relations and even used for prostitution to generate income for their owners. The Bible itself also permitted such practices, When Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) came, he did not abolish slavery outright, as it was a societal norm at the time. However, Islam introduced a gradual reform process, regulating the treatment of enslaved individuals and working towards their eventual emancipation. The allowance of relations with enslaved women was context-dependent, regulated by Islamic laws, and aimed at providing security and integration rather than exploitation. Over time, Islam laid the foundation for the gradual elimination of slavery by promoting ethical treatment, discouraging enslavement, and strongly encouraging manumission, Before Islam, enslaved women were often subjected to forced relations and were even used for prostitution. Islam prohibited forced intercourse, stating that a woman must agree willingly. The Qur’an (24:33) forbids coercion and grants enslaved individuals the right to seek freedom through contracts. Additionally, Islam encouraged their liberation out of fear of God (4:36, 9:60).

1. Marriage with Captive Muslim Women

📖Quran 4;23
And whoever among you cannot afford to marry free believing women, then [let him marry] from those whom your right hands possess of believing slave women. And Allah knows best about your faith. You are from one another. So marry them with the permission of their people and give them their due compensation (dowry) according to what is acceptable, [being] chaste, not committing unlawful sexual relations or taking them as mistresses. But if they commit adultery after marriage, then for them is half the punishment of free women. This is for those among you who fear sin, but to be patient is better for you. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

This verse clarifies that if two Muslim groups engage in war and one side captures women, the captors must marry them with the permission of their family, people, or ruler. This applied to Muslim women who were captured in war, ensuring that they were not subjected to unlawful relations. The verse establishes that without proper consent, no one had the right to engage in sexual relations with them, In past societies, women were often sold as property. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came, this verse was revealed to regulate those who already had female slaves and later reverted to Islam. It also applied to female captives taken during war—if they accepted Islam, then the verse governed their treatment. This ensured that they were not treated as mere slaves but were given the dignity of marriage, However, it is important to note that Islam does not permit the capture of women except in specific circumstances, such as when they are actively fighting in battle or when taking them under control is the only way to end hostilities. Historically, this was applied in tribal warfare, and in modern contexts, it could apply when two countries are at war, allowing captives to be taken as a means to pressure the opposing side into ending the conflict.

Captives must be treated with dignity and not harmed:
“And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'” (Quran 76:8-9)

2. Treatment of Captive Non-Muslim Women

In Islam, sexual intercourse with non-Muslim women was allowed before the Quranic verses were revealed, but it was later prohibited, and this rule still applies today. There are hadiths mentioning that the companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had intercourse with pagan women. However, it is unclear whether these events happened based on Torah commands or were simply a societal norm at that time because Prophet Muhammad had not yet received the verses to stop them. He followed what was revealed to him, and the rest occurred according to the customs of the time. Since he did not give all commands at once, certain things were allowed under the rule of the Torah, For example, in Sunan Abi Dawud 4449, the Prophet himself was not aware of everything until God revealed the verses. And God knows best the right time, as the Prophet was already guided by Him. He knew that there was truth in the Torah, so he applied certain rulings based on it as well. However, when the Quranic verses were revealed, it became clear that sexual relations were not allowed except through marriage. The term ‘right-hand possessions’ refers to slaves or those captured in battle, and their treatment was regulated by Islamic law

Quran 24:33
Those who cannot afford marriage should remain chaste until Allah enriches them. If slaves wish to be emancipated through Kitābah (paying money), allow them to do so and give them from the wealth Allah has given you. Do not force maids into prostitution, and if one is compelled, Allah is Most-Forgiving and Very-Merciful.

Quran 4:23 makes it clear that such relations are not allowed. As I explained, when a Muslim captures someone, if the women are already Muslim or revert to Islam, they must be married instead of being subjected to anything unlawful, Additionally, Quran 24:33 emphasizes not forcing slave girls into prostitution and respecting their autonomy. If someone does force a slave girl into prostitution against her will, Allah is forgiving and merciful towards her. This verse serves as a reminder to treat others with respect and compassion, regardless of their social status, There is no reference in the Quran permitting such actions in modern times because the Quran is against them. The example of the companions was based on the customs of that time, but the Quran later clarified that such practices were wrong. Just as they engaged in practices like selling women and children while the Prophet was among them, he did not command them to do so. However, the Prophet did not immediately forbid everything or establish all laws at once, saying that these things were wrong and must be stopped immediately, A similar gradual approach was taken with alcohol. Initially, alcohol was not forbidden, and the companions consumed it. Later, a verse discouraged it, stating that its harm was greater than its benefit (Quran 2:219). Eventually, a final command was revealed, completely prohibiting alcohol (Quran 5:90-91). This shows that some practices were allowed or tolerated in the early stages of Islam, but as the Quranic revelations progressed, they were either regulated or entirely forbidden, In modern times, if a Muslim group takes someone captive in battle or for any reason, they have no right to engage in intercourse without marriage. If the captive is Muslim, they cannot have relations without a proper marriage. If the captive is a non-Muslim, they cannot be forced into unlawful sexual relations. Any action violating this would be considered adultery, as stated in Quran 24:2, Furthermore, if someone is taken under a Muslim group’s authority, they must be treated well, as commanded by the Quran. If the captive is Muslim, they have the right to marry within the rules of Islamic law. Similarly, if the captive is a non-Muslim and reverts to Islam, marriage would require her permission, her family’s permission, or the permission of the governing authority of her country.

Understanding Quran 23:5-6 and 70:29-30 in Context

Quran 23:5-6 and Quran 70:29-30 mention “those whom their right hands possess,” but these verses must be understood in their full context:

Quran 23:5-6
“And they who guard their chastity, except with their wives or those [whom] their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed.”

Quran 70:29-30
“And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those [whom] their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed.”

Context and Interpretation

These verses discuss sexual relations within lawful boundaries—either through marriage or with “those whom their right hands possess” (captives/slaves). However, it does not explicitly state that sexual relations with them are permissible without marriage.

1. Marriage is Required (Quran 4:25)

Quran 4:25 states:
“So marry them with the permission of their family and give them their due compensation (dowry) according to what is acceptable, [being] chaste, not committing unlawful sexual relations or taking them as mistresses.”

This verse clearly indicates that captives must be married before any relations, just like free women. If they commit adultery after marriage, they receive half the punishment of free women, proving that they were not merely concubines but lawful wives.

2. Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Practice

There is no authentic hadith showing that the Prophet (pbuh) engaged in sexual relations with a captive without marriage. Instead, he freed them and married them, such as:

Juwayriya bint al-Harith
Safiyyah bint Huyayy

3. Gradual Abolition of Slavery in Islam

Islam encouraged freeing slaves and granting them rights, unlike past civilizations where slaves had no rights. The Quran and hadith strongly promoted emancipation, making marriage the only lawful way to engage in relations, While Quran 23:5-6 and 70:29-30 mention “those whom their right hands possess,” they do not say that sexual relations are permitted without marriage. Instead, Quran 4:25 makes it clear that marriage is required. Therefore, these verses do not contradict the principle that lawful intimacy requires a proper marriage contract.

The concept of “what the right hand possesses” is a command from God and was approved under divine law. Scholars have interpreted this within the framework of marriage, as both are legal and regulated by God’s command. If God had not given guidance on this from the beginning, people would have followed their own desires, leading to unregulated practices, Similarly, the right hand possession system existed in Arab society 1,400 years ago, and Islam regulated it rather than leaving it unchecked. This means it was not a system of force or injustice but was placed under God’s law, ensuring rules, rights, and responsibilities, For future generations, its validity depends on time, culture, and societal conditions. However, it cannot involve coercion, it must always be within God’s command, with justice, fairness, and without oppression. This principle ensures that no act is done outside divine law, maintaining moral and ethical balance.

Freeing Slaves and Ensuring Justice

Quran 90:13-14
And what can make you know what is [breaking] the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave.

Quran 2:177
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Quran 24:33
And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess—then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you…

Quran 9:60
Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy, and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam], and for freeing captives.

Sahih Muslim 1509
Whoever emancipates a slave, Allah will set him free from Hell.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5649
Visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and setting captives free are all recommended actions.

Quran Verses and Hadith Applicability

The Quran is considered the central religious text of Islam and is believed by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered eternal and applicable to all people and ages, providing guidance for all aspects of life. However, the interpretation and application of specific verses may vary depending on the context and time period in which they are studied. For example, in the event of a war where an army attacks the enemy’s country, resulting in deaths and captives, the relevant verses of the Quran and Hadiths, such as Sahih Muslim 1744 b, still apply today. The Prophet Muhammad prohibited the killing of women and children during war, the destruction of crops, trees, and buildings, and encouraged the humane treatment of prisoners of war. These teachings were based on principles of mercy and compassion, aimed at reducing harm and suffering in times of conflict and promoting justice and respect for human life. Islam recognizes the right to self-defense and defense of one’s community against aggression and harm, but the use of force should be limited to what is necessary for self-defense and should not be used for aggression or violating the rights of others. The Quran states, “Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but do not exceed the limits. God does not love those who exceed the limits.” (2:190), permitting the use of force in self-defense while emphasizing the importance of not exceeding necessary limits and respecting the rights of others.

The Ruling If Such a Situation Occurs in the Future

How These Teachings Apply Today

Slavery was gradually abolished – Islam set conditions that restricted mistreatment and promoted manumission, leading to its eventual end.
Justice in employer-employee relationships – The principles of treating subordinates with dignity now apply to labor rights, ensuring fair treatment of workers.
If servitude ever returns, the same rules apply – Oppression is forbidden, and those who unjustly mistreat others should not be in a position of power over them.

Slavery: A Historical Perspective

In the United States, slavery played a significant role, particularly from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The transatlantic slave trade forcibly brought millions of Africans to America, where they were subjected to harsh conditions and forced labor, primarily in the Southern states. This period saw the entrenchment of slavery in the economic and social fabric of the nation. The institution persisted until the Civil War, after which the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery in 1865, Why did the message of love not change the United States until 1865? Instead, it was figures like Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine who opposed slavery, rather than the so-called “white evangelical love” that was spread around the world. but, Thomas Jefferson himself owned around 600 slaves, but over time, he realized that slavery was evil.

Thomas Paine was one of the few Enlightenment thinkers who strongly opposed slavery without contradictions. Unlike Jefferson, who criticized slavery while still owning slaves, Paine actively fought against slavery and called for its abolition.

Wrote Against Slavery (1775) – Paine wrote an anti-slavery essay titled “African Slavery in America”, published in the Pennsylvania Journal. He called slavery “an outrage against humanity” and condemned Christians who justified it.
Supported the Abolitionist Movement – He was part of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, one of the first groups in America dedicated to ending slavery.
Advocated for Universal Human Rights – In his famous book, Rights of Man, he argued for equality and freedom for all people, including enslaved individuals.
Influenced the American and French Revolutions – His ideas helped shape discussions about freedom, and he even supported the abolition of slavery in revolutionary France.

While Christianity preached love and morality, it was often used to justify slavery rather than abolish it. Figures like Paine and, to some extent, Jefferson played a more direct role in challenging the institution of slavery.

“It is from the Bible that man has learned cruelty, rapine, and murder; for the belief of a cruel God makes a cruel man.”

― Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

It is important to note that this statement is not about the original message. His writing against the Bible was based on the belief that it had been fabricated. He did not believe the book to be true, nor did he believe in the Trinity or that Jesus died for anyone’s sins. In fact, he did not even believe that Jesus died. He rejected all verses that commanded the killing of children and women, His statement refers to the Trinity god or the god that Christians and Jews made up for themselves, which does not exist. Christians created a god with three heads, which does not exist. It is a cruel god that they made for themselves.

Additional Information

Slavery existed long before Islam and was deeply entrenched in societies worldwide, including pre-Islamic Arabia. The Quran and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not introduce slavery but implemented gradual reforms to ensure humane treatment, education, and eventual freedom for enslaved individuals. Islam emphasized justice, dignity, and ethical responsibility toward those under one’s care, prohibiting exploitation, forced labor, and mistreatment. Over time, these reforms laid the foundation for the abolition of slavery and set principles that continue to guide fairness in employer-employee relationships and human rights today. Unlike past civilizations, Islam sought to transform a cruel societal norm into a system rooted in compassion and moral accountability.