Women Slavery - Conclusion:
1 – Islam provides a positive, Practical and helpful solution to Women who lose their men in war.
2 – Slave women have similar rights to Wives.
3 – Slave women are not allowed to be Raped because they are our ‘sisters’ in faith or a trust we are responsible over, – they have one man who they are associated with, a relationship which society recognises. This relationship is based on mercy and love.
4 – A Slave woman has different means by which she can find freedom.
5 – There is no limit to how much slaves someone can have – since that will only increase the probability of more slaves being freed in the near future.
6 – Teaching, Freeing and Marrying a slave brings a great deal of reward – hence, Believers’ will strive hard to buy and free, and marry slaves.
Thursday, 30 August 2012
The Strong Encouragement from the Quran & Sunnah to Free & Marry your Slave
The Strong Encouragement from the Quran & Sunnah to Free & Marry your Slave:
In the Qur’an, Allah urged the believers to marry the Slave believers;
Encouraging Free people to Marry Slaves Aayaat/verses: al Baqarah 2:221, an-Nur 24:32-33, an-Nisa 4:25.
Narrated Abu Burda’s father:
Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said “Three persons will have a double reward: 1. A Person from the people of the scriptures who believed in his prophet (Jesus or Moses) and then believed in the Prophet Muhammad (i .e. has embraced Islam).
2. A slave who discharges his duties to Allah and his master.
3. A master of a woman-slave who teaches her good manners and educates her in the best possible way (the religion) and manumits [frees] her and then marries her.”
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3 [book of knowledge], Number 97.2. A slave who discharges his duties to Allah and his master.
3. A master of a woman-slave who teaches her good manners and educates her in the best possible way (the religion) and manumits [frees] her and then marries her.”
In the Qur’an, Allah urged the believers to marry the Slave believers;
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.
[Quran Surah Nur 24: 32]
Through the revealing of these verses, it is a well-known Fact – that the masses of people of Medinah –at the time of Prophet Muhammad- had freed their slaves in order to Marry them. Encouraging Free people to Marry Slaves Aayaat/verses: al Baqarah 2:221, an-Nur 24:32-33, an-Nisa 4:25.
Why is there no Limit to the Amount of Slave Women?
Why is there no Limit to the Amount of Slave Women?
Islam encouraged cohabitation with slaves as another avenue to liberation for them and their children. This may be particularly significant if it is realized that the slave’s offspring were often the children of wealthy owners who kept slaves for domestic purposes (i.e. for household help.) It is further suggested that, to enhance the cause of liberation, Islam did not limit the number of slaves with whom a master may cohabit because the greater the number – the closer to freedom they become. [see Um al Walad].
By placing no limit – it is increasingly beneficial to the slave women because instead of having to become Prostitutes for earning money or fulfilling their sexual needs, all slave women -effected by war- will have a household in which the male responsible over her will; provide for her, and fulfills all her needs for her (including; food, shelter, clothing, and also fulfill her emotional and intimate needs etc.)
Islam encouraged cohabitation with slaves as another avenue to liberation for them and their children. This may be particularly significant if it is realized that the slave’s offspring were often the children of wealthy owners who kept slaves for domestic purposes (i.e. for household help.) It is further suggested that, to enhance the cause of liberation, Islam did not limit the number of slaves with whom a master may cohabit because the greater the number – the closer to freedom they become. [see Um al Walad].
By placing no limit – it is increasingly beneficial to the slave women because instead of having to become Prostitutes for earning money or fulfilling their sexual needs, all slave women -effected by war- will have a household in which the male responsible over her will; provide for her, and fulfills all her needs for her (including; food, shelter, clothing, and also fulfill her emotional and intimate needs etc.)
Um al Walad (Mother of the Child)
Um al Walad (Mother of the Child):
If a female slave had a child [boy or girl] from the master, she is then honored with the title; “Um al Walad” (mother of the child), and she is then freed after the death of her Owner and provider.
(i.e. Mariyya al Qibtiyya became free at the death of Allah’s Messenger because she had a son called Ibraheem from Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]
If she does not have a child, then she does not be freed, and still remains a slave in the family. However, she could find another means of freeing herself; See: Means of Freedom.
If a female slave had a child [boy or girl] from the master, she is then honored with the title; “Um al Walad” (mother of the child), and she is then freed after the death of her Owner and provider.
(i.e. Mariyya al Qibtiyya became free at the death of Allah’s Messenger because she had a son called Ibraheem from Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]
If she does not have a child, then she does not be freed, and still remains a slave in the family. However, she could find another means of freeing herself; See: Means of Freedom.
Are Slave women allowed to be Raped?
Are Slave women allowed to be Raped?
Based on the huge rights Islam has placed upon Slaves (in which Prophet Muhammad said (meaning); “they [slaves] are your brothers (/sisters) [in faith]..”, and other commands of giving kind treatment to slaves, we wonder whether this argument has any basis.
See: Rights of Slaves in Islam.
We have seen many evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah (Prophetic teachings) to suggest that bad behaviour to ones slaves is dispraised in Islam, and to honor them is of the best of good actions. Infact, in many cases slaves are to be freed if you give them bad treatment, and in other cases one could be saved on Judgment Day for helping free them.
Therefore for someone to argue that raping slaves is permissible in Islam, the burden of proof is upon the one who claims this to prove that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly allowed it. Otherwise this claim is rejected.
Also see:
Does Islam allow the Rape of Slaves Girls?
http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/quran-hadith-prophet-muhammad/islam-permit-muslim-men-rape-slave-girls-1832
Options instead of Force :
It seems clear from Research that Women would beautify themselves before battle for either of two realities they would have to face;
As we have mentioned already – slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse. There are more options for the male than just forcing her to have Intimate relations.
Other Options:
What people need to realise is that this is not just an Islamic issue, but a real consequence of war. And that this happens to real people, so people will react differently. However, what Islam continuously commands is Justice and Fair Treatment for those under Muslim care.
Based on the huge rights Islam has placed upon Slaves (in which Prophet Muhammad said (meaning); “they [slaves] are your brothers (/sisters) [in faith]..”, and other commands of giving kind treatment to slaves, we wonder whether this argument has any basis.
See: Rights of Slaves in Islam.
We have seen many evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah (Prophetic teachings) to suggest that bad behaviour to ones slaves is dispraised in Islam, and to honor them is of the best of good actions. Infact, in many cases slaves are to be freed if you give them bad treatment, and in other cases one could be saved on Judgment Day for helping free them.
Therefore for someone to argue that raping slaves is permissible in Islam, the burden of proof is upon the one who claims this to prove that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly allowed it. Otherwise this claim is rejected.
Also see:
Does Islam allow the Rape of Slaves Girls?
http://www.islamic-life.com/forums/quran-hadith-prophet-muhammad/islam-permit-muslim-men-rape-slave-girls-1832
Options instead of Force :
It seems clear from Research that Women would beautify themselves before battle for either of two realities they would have to face;
1) to Support their Men and ‘Cheer them on’.Could he then force her to have Intimate relations?
2) If their men lost – they would be beautiful and therefore valuable and Expensive for the one who caught her.
As we have mentioned already – slaves are a Responsibility who Muslims are required to take care of and cannot abuse. There are more options for the male than just forcing her to have Intimate relations.
Other Options:
1 – Isn’t it possible that if he saw her unwilling to get along – he could have sold to her to another Muslim for a price?
2 – He could have purchased another slave girl who was willing to have sex with him?
3 – Or he would have waited for her to consent, for by that time he would have treated her very nicely and convinced her that Islam is true and that it was her tribe’s fault for starting the battle, etc. Yes these things are possible.
What people need to realise is that this is not just an Islamic issue, but a real consequence of war. And that this happens to real people, so people will react differently. However, what Islam continuously commands is Justice and Fair Treatment for those under Muslim care.
Islam: Similarities between a Wife and a Slave Woman
Similarities between a Wife and a Slave Woman
They both virtually enjoy similar rights;
1 – Intimate Care:
Allah has permitted Intimate relations (sexual intercourse) with both the Wife and the ‘Right hand slave woman’ for the Muslim male;
2 – Honorable Titles:
Wives are called ‘Zawwaaj’ from the word ‘Zawjah’ = the one you Mix with and are a Partner to.
Slaves are called; MalakaT aYmaanuK = Your Right hand Woman. The ‘Right hand woman ’ signifies that which is ‘blessed’ which supports you.
3 – An Agreement:
Wives: When you marry a Woman – you do a Nikah contract, which establishes that you have taken Guardianship from the woman’s father. (i.e. you will; Care for her, Provide etc.) and as a consequence – she will only have intimate relations with you.
Slaves: When you take a Slave woman – she does not have a Guardian. So no Nikah (transferal of Guardianship) takes place. Instead, when you take a slave, you are ensuring that she will only have intimate relations with you.
It is all a matter of ‘Responsibility.’
4 – Waiting Period:
Wives: When a free woman (wife) is divorced, she has an ‘Iddah [waiting period] of 3 months to see if she is pregnant from the previous husband.
Slaves: When a slave woman is sold, she has an ‘Istibraa’ [waiting period] for 1 month, to see if she is pregnant from her previous owner or not.
If Pregnant: In both cases – the free and slave women do not get married again until they deliver (give birth to) the child. After that they can get married again.
5 – Inheritance for Children from the Father:
Children from both the Wife and the Slave woman are born as Free (and not slaves) and Inherit wealth off the father.
They both virtually enjoy similar rights;
1 – Intimate Care:
Allah has permitted Intimate relations (sexual intercourse) with both the Wife and the ‘Right hand slave woman’ for the Muslim male;
And they who guard their private parts. Except from their wives [aZwaaj] or those their right hands possess [malakaT aYmaan] , for indeed, they will not be blamed – [Surah Mu’minun 23: 5-6]
This would be fair since they are women, both the wife and the ‘Right hand possessed’ [concubine] woman deserve a trustworthy partner who can take care of her in all ways (financially, emotionally, intimately etc.) This is a much better alternative for the ‘right hand woman’ in comparison to a Prison. 2 – Honorable Titles:
Wives are called ‘Zawwaaj’ from the word ‘Zawjah’ = the one you Mix with and are a Partner to.
Slaves are called; MalakaT aYmaanuK = Your Right hand Woman. The ‘Right hand woman ’ signifies that which is ‘blessed’ which supports you.
3 – An Agreement:
Wives: When you marry a Woman – you do a Nikah contract, which establishes that you have taken Guardianship from the woman’s father. (i.e. you will; Care for her, Provide etc.) and as a consequence – she will only have intimate relations with you.
Slaves: When you take a Slave woman – she does not have a Guardian. So no Nikah (transferal of Guardianship) takes place. Instead, when you take a slave, you are ensuring that she will only have intimate relations with you.
It is all a matter of ‘Responsibility.’
4 – Waiting Period:
Wives: When a free woman (wife) is divorced, she has an ‘Iddah [waiting period] of 3 months to see if she is pregnant from the previous husband.
Slaves: When a slave woman is sold, she has an ‘Istibraa’ [waiting period] for 1 month, to see if she is pregnant from her previous owner or not.
If Pregnant: In both cases – the free and slave women do not get married again until they deliver (give birth to) the child. After that they can get married again.
5 – Inheritance for Children from the Father:
Children from both the Wife and the Slave woman are born as Free (and not slaves) and Inherit wealth off the father.
What will happen to the Prisoner Women in Islamic Society after the War?
What will happen to the Prisoner Women in Islamic Society after the War?
Step 1: The Ameer [Leader] of the Believers will gather the Property of the territory after the War has ended (including; the Women, Children and Wealth etc.) & take them back to the Islamic state.
Note: This is the only case in which ‘slave women’ are taken (i.e. through the Ameer and him distributing them in an Islamic state.)
Step 2: The Ameer will fairly Distribute the Wealth (including the Women and Children) amongst the Believers within the Islamic state.
NOTE: If the womans husband is still alive, her marriage will automatically become Annulled [cancelled] once the Believers have returned to the Islamic state.*
Step 3: The woman will become the Property (as a trust) of the Muslim male # who she was distributed to. *
NOTE: Wisdom should be taken by the Ameer in recognising the status of the woman before her slavery when pairing her up with a Muslim. (i.e. the slavery of Safiyyah bint Huyayy to Allah’s Messenger was decided based on her Nobility amongst the Jews, and his nobility amongst his people. [Allah’s Messenger soon freed her and married her.])
*We see that these two steps are taken to ensure that the woman does not have intimate relations with two men at one time. Since that could cause confusion on whom the child belongs to. It also shows that Islam does not encourage Prostitution of slave women as that brings more evils in society.
# Muslim Free women do not have Male Slaves for sexual intercourse. (And would be an insult to her status of being a free woman.)
Step 1: The Ameer [Leader] of the Believers will gather the Property of the territory after the War has ended (including; the Women, Children and Wealth etc.) & take them back to the Islamic state.
Note: This is the only case in which ‘slave women’ are taken (i.e. through the Ameer and him distributing them in an Islamic state.)
Step 2: The Ameer will fairly Distribute the Wealth (including the Women and Children) amongst the Believers within the Islamic state.
NOTE: If the womans husband is still alive, her marriage will automatically become Annulled [cancelled] once the Believers have returned to the Islamic state.*
Step 3: The woman will become the Property (as a trust) of the Muslim male # who she was distributed to. *
NOTE: Wisdom should be taken by the Ameer in recognising the status of the woman before her slavery when pairing her up with a Muslim. (i.e. the slavery of Safiyyah bint Huyayy to Allah’s Messenger was decided based on her Nobility amongst the Jews, and his nobility amongst his people. [Allah’s Messenger soon freed her and married her.])
*We see that these two steps are taken to ensure that the woman does not have intimate relations with two men at one time. Since that could cause confusion on whom the child belongs to. It also shows that Islam does not encourage Prostitution of slave women as that brings more evils in society.
# Muslim Free women do not have Male Slaves for sexual intercourse. (And would be an insult to her status of being a free woman.)
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