RAQABAH (رقبة)
Definition: Raqabah (رقبة) originates from the Arabic word for ’neck.’ In the Qurʾānic context, it notably refers to a captive slave. For instance, in Surah An-Nisa (4:94) it states, “Whosoever kills a believer by mistake, then let him free a believing neck.”
Etymology: Derived from the Arabic root “r-q-b” (رقب), Raqabah signifies the neck linked to bondage or the physical vulnerability of slaves whose lives could hinge upon the mercy of their masters.
Background: Within the Qurʾān, the term ‘Raqabah’ has moral and legal implications. Emancipating a slave was considered one of the highly meritorious acts, reflecting Islam’s early attempts to mitigate and ultimately eliminate slavery.
Cultural Differences and Similarities: While ‘Raqabah’ in its literal sense relates to captive slaves, its applications expand contextually:
- In Middle Eastern Islamic Practices: The term is used mostly in theological contexts, reflective scripturally.
- In Indian Cultural Use: Evolved in usage, Raqabah also refers to a marked or enclosed area of land, deepening its contextual breadth uniquely in the Indian subcontinent.
Synonyms:
- ⟹ ‘Abd (عبد): Another Arabic term for slave or servant, more general than Raqabah.
- ⟹ Mujahid (مجاهد): Literally “struggle” or “striving,” though not a boolean fit, in some juristic views, the term aligns when discussing captives from warfare contexts.
Antonyms:
- ⟹ Hurriyah (حرية): Meaning ‘freedom’ or ’liberty,’ diametrically opposed to the idea of bondage and captivity.
Related Terms with Definitions:
- ⟹ Emancipation: The act of freeing from restrictions or bondage.
- ⟹ Kaffarah: In Islamic law, refers to expiation required by the offender for certain transgressions, sometimes inclusive of freeing a slave.
Exciting Facts:
- The Qurʾān prioritizes the freeing of slaves in acts of piety and refining human dignity.
- The guided transitions in Islamic theological framework gradually aimed towards the eradication of institutional slavery.
Quotations from Notable Writers:
“There is no virtue greater than the liberation of the oppressed, their removing chains are the steps to divinity.” – Ibn Arabi, noted Islamic mystic and philosopher.
“Allowing any form of servitude runs contrary to the universal tenets of equity and compassion enjoined in the Holy Qurʾān.” – Asad Al-Lukmani, contemporary Islamic scholar.
References and Suggested Literature:
- The Book of Strangers: Medieval Arabic Graffiti on the Theme of Nostalgia by Patricia Crone and Shmuel Moreh
- The Qur’an: A New Translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem - for nuanced interpretations of terminologies.
- Slavery and Islam by Jonathan A.C. Brown - provides comprehensive exploration into historical practices versus theological imperatives in Islam.
Quizzes:
May your intellectual journey radiate with the ever-shining light of wisdom and understanding.
— Zaynab Siddiqui, October 2023
