Re: Slavery in Islam
You have to understand that slavery was an institution that was in place before Muhammad (P)'s message and (consider what Wheelworks' post) it was also an economic institution, which makes it harder to dismantle... HOWEVER...
Make no mistake, the practice was indeed condemned in Islam in the Qur'an:
Charities shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of Allah, and to the traveling alien. Such is Allah's commandment. Allah is Omniscient, Most Wise.
At-Tauba- 9:60.
What do you suppose that means? Again, consider what Wheelworks' posted.
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing.
2:117
The fact that the practice did continue for such a length represents societal problems, not problems in Islam.
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