🕌 The Teaching of the Qurʾān on the Subject of Slavery: A Comprehensive Study
📜 Definition & Etymology
Slavery (Arabic: رِقّ or عَبْديّة, ‘rikk’ or ‘abdiya’): The condition in which individuals are legally considered the property of another person. The concept traces back to the earliest human civilizations and has evolved over time.
🌍 Historical Background & Context
Slavery has been a common institution throughout human history, spanning various cultures, including pre-Islamic Arabia. The Qurʾānic verses addressing slavery mirror societal norms prevalent at the time while guiding adherents towards more humane treatment and gradual abolition.
📖 The Qurʾānic Teaching
From the Qurʾān, we gather six central teachings related to slavery:
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Cohabitation with Female Slaves:
- Sūrah an-Nisa (4:3): “Then marry what seems good to you of women, by twos, or threes, or fours; and if ye fear that ye cannot be equitable, then only one, or what your right hands possess.”
- Sūrah an-Nisa (4:24): “…except those (captives) whom your right hands possess.”
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Possession of Married Slave Women:
- Sūrah an-Nisa (4:24): “And forbidden are married women, except those slaves whom your right hands possess.”
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Rules of Decorum with Slaves:
- Sūrah al-Mu’minun (23:5-6): “And those who guard their chastity… except from their wives or those that their right hands possess.”
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Illustrative Analogy:
- Sūrah an-Nahl (16:77): “God has struck a parable about an owned slave, able to do nothing,” to highlight dependence on the Creator.
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Kindness Towards Slaves:
- Sūrah an-Nisa (4:36): “Serve God and do not associate anything with Him, and show kindness… and what your right hands possess.”
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Ransom and Emancipation:
- Sūrah an-Nur (24:33): “…And if those of whom your right hands possess desire emancipation, write it for them if you know any good in them; and give them something out of the wealth of Allah…”
🌿 Cultural and Modern Interpretations
While the Qurʾān allowed slavery within the historical context, it emphasized humane treatment and gradual emancipation. Modern Islamic theologians and scholars argue that Qurʾānic principles aligned with a trajectory towards abolition, similarly reflected in various Islamic jurisprudence.
🌐 Cultural Differences & Similarities
Islamic perspectives on slavery historically included both comparable aspects to contemporaneous traditions and distinct differences, such as the emphasis on humane treatment and the right to emancipation. This differentiates Islamic practice from more exploitative forms observed elsewhere.
🔄 Synonyms
- Bondage
- Servitude
- Enslavement
❌ Antonyms
- Freedom
- Liberty
- Emancipation
🔍 Related Terms with Definitions
- Abolition ism: The movement to end slavery.
- Sadaqah (charity): Voluntary almsgiving in Islam.
- Mahr (dowry): Payment from the husband to the wife upon marriage.
🌟 Exciting Facts
- Early Islamic society encouraged the freeing of slaves as an act of charity and virtue.
- Notable early Muslims, such as the Caliph Umar ibn Khattab, actively freed numerous slaves.
💬 Quotations from Notable Writers
- Ibn Khaldun: “Human social organization is something necessary. The prophet of Islam ensured that every individual, regardless of social station, had an opportunity for dignity.”
- Ali ibn Abi Talib: “A man is a brother of yours; spread not malice against him. Free him from bondage if conditions allow.”
📚 Recommended Literature and Sources
- Slavery and Islamic Law by Jonathan A.C. Brown - Provides deep insights into the legal framework surrounding slavery in Islam.
- Slavery in Classical Islamic Society by Shaun Marmon - Examines the historical and social aspects of slavery in early Islamic culture.
- The Qurʾān with Annotated Interpretations in Modern English by Ali Ünal - Offers contemporary perspectives and annotations on the Qurʾān.
Thank you for exploring this intricate topic. May this information illuminate the pathways to understanding and appreciating the depths of the Qurʾān. Knowledge grows when shared, and may we strive always towards justice and compassion.
Hassan Al-Hakim
October 3, 2023
