The practise of slavery is believed to have originated after the
invention of agriculture during the Neolithic Revolution, about
11,000 years ago. Slavery occurred in almost every other ancient
civilization as well as the modern empires, including ancient Egypt,
Arabia, ancient China, the Roman Empire and the pre-Columbian Empire of
America. The American Civil War ended slavery in the United States in 1865, while Britain ended slavery in
its empire around the 1830s. Although slavery is now
globally illegal, human trafficking and forced labour continue to violate
and demean the rights of individuals. These forms of slavery, even in this 21st
century, continue and generate a profit of $150 billion annually.
So, did Islam address slavery, a vice so deeply rooted in the society? Did
Islam abolish it? Or did it let this practice remain for the next
several centuries until the world realized the inhuman form it had taken and
strived towards its eradication?
During the advent of Islam in Arabia, slavery was so deeply rooted that
it had seeped into every household and family. Thousands embraced slavehood
with a heavy heart, as their sole livelihood, while many, despite their desire,
could not break free from the chains of slavery. Slaves were captured regularly
and sold in the market. But where were these slaves coming from?
The primary source of slaves were war prisoners. Tribal
wars would end up in one tribe overpowering the other. Their wealth and
properties were overtaken, houses were destroyed, those who resisted were
killed while those left homeless and with no means to live were taken as
prisoners and sold into slavery.
Now the question comes, would the freeing of all
the slaves had solved this problem? Not really. A
general understanding is that their lives completely relied on their owners,
whether the roof they lived under, the food they ate or the clothes they wore,
they were dependent on those that owned them. Freeing them all at once would
have created havoc in the society, caused huge unemployment and crumbled the
economy. Instead, a gradual and steady process was needed.
An end to war imprisonment!
The first battle that the early Muslims of Mecca fought, led by Prophet
Muhammad was the Battle of Badr. The Muslims, who were a mere 300 against the
army of more than a thousand, were victorious in this war. Up until then,
slavery prevailed as usual and both the sides that fought in war succeeded in
taking prisoners. It was during this war struck time, the following verse of
the Qur'an was revealed,
"So when you meet those who disbelieve [in
battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon
them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or
ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens." [Qur'an 47:4]
The verse commanded to fight valiantly on the battlefield, but those taken into bondage were commanded to be shown mercy after the war. Instead
of being sold into slavery, the Qur'an commanded their release in
return for a ransom.
However, those who were unable to afford their
ransom were commanded to be freed as a favour upon them. And these
rulings did not end here. The Qur'an also commanded to give food and take care
of the prisoners, ensuring that they not be treated cruelly. When talking
about the righteous people, the Qur'an says,
"And
they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the
captive" [Qur'an 76:8]
Adding to this verse, the next verse advised the Muslims not to
expect any reward from those captives in return for their good behaviour, but
the reward for their righteousness lies with Allah.
[Saying], "We
feed you only for the countenance of Allah . We wish not from you reward or
gratitude. [Qur'an 76:9]
Other means of freeing these war prisoners also included freeing
them in exchange for one's own men taken as prisoners by the other side. The
prisoners who were literate were asked to teach for some days, staying
among the people, and in return were freed. Ways for freeing of war
prisoners were paved beautifully and no more new slaves were brought to the
market.
Those already enslaved?
Now, the focus shifted to those who were already chained in slavery. The
foremost command was to free those slaves who were skilled and capable
of earning for themselves. These were those most willing to be freed
and work on their own. They were given the opportunity to earn and pay
the amount to their owner, for which he had initially bought them. The owner
will thus be bound to set them free.
In fact, their owners were asked to
set them free graciously and give them some money to start off their lives
with. This command was revealed in the following verse
"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." [Qur'an
24:33]
Through this, a significant portion was able to break themselves free
from slavery and live a free life. They were able to afford their own
livelihood and live a settled life. But there still remained a fraction that
did not succeed in freeing themselves. To instil in them, a sense of
responsibility and provide them further encouragement, the Qur'an advised them
to get married a start a family.
"And marry the unmarried among you and the
righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor,
Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and
Knowing." [Qur'an 24:32]
Those that were poor were given hope that Allah will provide sustenance
for them and their family. The purpose was to ease for them the steps towards
starting a free life, building a home and raising a family.
Amidst all
this, a special emphasis was also laid on protecting the rights of
the female slaves. The Qur'an made prohibited, the following,
To further protect them from falling into any calamity or wickedness of
the society after being freed, the Qur'an also opened doors for their marriage.
Those who were free could marry a slave but only after seeking their
permission. The Qur'an added to this command, saying "You are of
one another." addressing both, the free and the enslaved as
the same, all being the Children of Adam, thereby shedding off any
discrimination that remained.
Other measures towards the freeing of slaves were also taken. The Qur'an
at various instances (4:36, 2:177,9:60, 90:13 etc.) declared the
freeing of slaves as one of the good deeds of the highest stature.
This
eventually resulted in people buying slaves for the sole purpose of
setting them free. On the other hand, those seeking forgiveness for
their sins and other unintentional mistakes were commanded to free a
slave. The Qur'an affirmed that freeing slaves would not only be a way
to earn good deeds but also a means to wipe off various sins.
This is indeed how Islam terminated the pouring in of new slaves and
then opened various channels for the freeing of slaves. These were the gradual
steps that were revealed over the course of 23 years. Despite these measures
towards abolishing slavery, Islam also ensured that those who remained enslaved
receive treatment, no different from the rest of the people. The
Prophet commanded that they be taken care of and be treated with
kindness.
The Prophet said,
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