Is Slavery suitable today?

As has been explained in the ‘What is Slavery’ question, we have seen that slavery is existent today in the Modern era – although in a Corporation and Financial sense. But the question arises, is ‘Past slavery’ still suitable for today’s standards according to Islam?


An Islamic Perspective:

Islam did not introduce slavery to the world, but it recognised it as a Reality which would be existent within the world, in the Past and also in the Future. Due to continuous conflict within the world – slavery would continue – as one group of people would overpower another, and take the defeated as slaves.

Islam did not clearly forbid Slavery, otherwise – Muslims could potentially be Enslaved in war, yet what alternative would they have when they were Victors?

-         They could not always Release those who fought them for free while losing their own people in Slavery to the enemy.

-         They could not always Kill the enemy – otherwise – the enemy may be more hostile, and similarly kill the Muslim prisoners.

-         They could not always Ransom the prisoners – otherwise – a rich enemy may always wage war and always expect freedom for their people through paying Ransom money.

-         They could not always Imprison the enemy – otherwise – it would be a financial burden with no benefit to the Muslims.

However, they could Enslave the prisoners – while giving them a great deal of rights – and exposing them to the beauty of a society implementing Islamic teachings.

This is what Islam did, and as a result – achieved a great deal of success in the past, and similarly – it would do so in the future if such application did occur.