Free Slaves during Solar Eclipses

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 2519
Narrated Asma’ bint Abu Bakr: The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered us to free slaves at the time of solar eclipses.

The Prophet ﷺ came at a time when slavery was practiced globally. He did not introduce it — he came with the original religion of Adam and all Prophets before him, to correct what people had distorted. Islam placed strict regulations on slavery and gave repeated commands to free slaves, linking it directly with worship and righteousness, Freeing slaves was not just a social act – it became part of worship, a way of obeying God’s command, which came directly from the Qur’an. Acts like freeing a slave during a solar eclipse, as mentioned in this hadith, were means of gaining closeness to Allah. Islam made freeing slaves a path to forgiveness, a form of charity, and a sign of sincere repentance, After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, rulers may have acted wrongly – slavery remained in some regions. But this does not mean the message of Islam failed; rather, human error should not be blamed on divine guidance. Islam’s message was clear and complete — to phase out slavery and establish justice.

• During events like a solar eclipse, the Prophet ﷺ instructed believers to increase worship and righteous deeds, including freeing slaves – as a means of seeking Allah’s mercy and showing devotion.

• The Qur’an supports this in two ways:

  1. Cosmic signs (like eclipses) are reminders of the Day of Judgment (75:8-9 – Quran 81:1).

  2. Righteous actions during such moments, like freeing slaves, are part of obedience to divine commands (2:177).

Releted: Slavery In Islam

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 90:13
It is to free a slave.

Islam uplifted human dignity and made the freeing of slaves one of the greatest acts of righteousness.