𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (20)

Slavery in the West vs. Slavery in Islam Rule: Islam is understood through the Qur'ān and the Sunnah, not Western history or experiences. KEY DIFFERENCES ▪️Slavery in the West 🩸 People were kidnapped from Africa. The Encyclopaedia Britannica states that slaves were captured from their villages by setting fire to the surrounding bushes. When the villagers fled into the open areas, the English would capture them using the methods they had prepared. (2/779) 🩸 Slavery was based on race and skin colour. 🩸 It was driven by money and cruelty. 🩸 Slaves were treated worse than animals. They were given no rights. Instead, they were abused, beaten and even killed. For this reason, much of this cruel history is often downplayed or concealed. ----------------------------------------- ▪️Slavery in Islam ➡️ Slavery in Islam was not open or random. It was only permitted after a lawful war against disbelievers and by the decision of the Muslim ruler. Imām Ash-Shinqīṭī rahimahullah explains that enslavement occurred as a result of disbelief and waging war against Allāh and His Messenger. When Allāh grants victory to the Muslims who sacrifice their lives and wealth so that the word of Allāh is supreme, captives may become slaves—unless the ruler chooses to release them freely or ransom them, based on what is in the best interest of the Muslims. [Aḍwā' Al-Bayān 3/387] One might ask: If a captive later accepted Islam, why did slavery remain? The scholars explain that a previously established right is not cancelled by a later event. Ownership was established by Allāh’s legislation before the captive embraced Islam. Justice does not allow a later right to cancel an earlier one, as Allāh ﷻ said: {وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ} “The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice. None can change His words, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [Al-An’ām 115] However, it is recommended and encouraged for the owner to free the slave after they accept Islam, and Islam opened many doors for this. ➡️ Slavery served as a punishment for disbelieving enemy combatants, similar to how criminals today may receive long prison sentences. Reflect: If a serial killer were given the choice between execution or long-term imprisonment, which would they choose? Likewise, many enemy combatants preferred life—even as slaves—over death. ➡️ Islam does not allow us to kidnap and enslave people randomly. Allāh ﷻ says (ḥadīth Qudsi): ((ثَلَاثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ… رَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ)) "There are three whom I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection… one of them is a man who sells a free person and consumes his price.” ➡️ Slavery in Islam had nothing to do with race or skin colour. https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/22755/%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7 ➡️ Islam granted slaves and captives remarkable rights, which may surprise many people. Although there are many examples, I will briefly highlight two and encourage you to study them in greater detail. 1⃣. Zaid ibn Ḥārithah (may Allāh be pleased with him): He chose to remain with the Prophet ﷺ rather than return to his family because of the justice, kindness, and mercy he experienced. 2⃣ Thumāmah ibn Athāl (may Allāh be pleased with him): He entered captivity as a disbeliever who hated the Prophet ﷺ, but due to the excellent treatment he received, he eventually loved the Prophet ﷺ more than anyone else and accepted Islam. ➡️ Islam teaches that slaves are human beings with dignity and rights. They must be: * Looked after * Clothed * Fed The Prophet ﷺ said: ((هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ، جَعَلَهُمُ اللهُ تَحْتَ أَيْدِيكُمْ… فَلْيُطْعِمْهُ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ، وَلْيُلْبِسْهُ مِمَّا يَلْبَسُ…))