What is the Islamic position on slavery?
That’s a very good question,
"What is the Islamic position on slavery?"
Let’s answer that clearly, comprehensively, and directly from Islamic sources and jurisprudence, without trying to sugarcoat or bend the facts.
🔹 What Is the Islamic Position on Slavery?
✅ 1. Slavery is Permissible in Islam
The Qur'an and Sunnah both recognize slavery as a lawful institution.
Slavery is not condemned, nor is it prohibited.
Instead, it is regulated — rules are set for:
Acquisition: typically through legitimate war
Treatment: humane, with obligations on the master
Manumission: encouraged but not mandated
📖 “...those whom your right hands possess...”
— Repeated in multiple verses: 4:3, 4:24, 16:71, 23:6, 33:50, 70:30
📜 2. Slavery in Sharia (Islamic Law)
All four major Sunni madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, Hanbali) and major Shia jurisprudence (Ja‘fari) hold:
Slavery is a valid and enduring legal category.
A free person cannot be enslaved except through lawful war or birth from a slave mother.
Slaves have fewer legal rights and lower legal status than free persons in matters of testimony, blood money, etc.
Masters may have sexual relations with female slaves without marriage, as per Qur’an 4:24 and 23:6.
✅ 3. Encouragement to Free Slaves
Although slavery is allowed, Islam strongly encourages freeing slaves:
As expiation for sins (e.g., manslaughter, false oaths)
As a virtuous deed
As a step toward moral progress
📖 “...it is freeing a slave...”
— Surah Al-Balad (90:13)
🕋 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will free every limb of his body from the Fire...”
— Sahih Muslim 1509
⚖️ Summary of the Islamic Position
| Aspect | Classical Islamic Ruling |
|---|---|
| Legal Status of Slavery | Permissible |
| Source of Enslavement | War (legitimate jihad) or birth |
| Abolition in Texts | Not mandated |
| Treatment of Slaves | Regulated; humane treatment required |
| Freeing Slaves | Encouraged, but not obligatory |
🧠 Modern Context?
In today’s world, where slavery is universally outlawed:
Some modern scholars argue slavery is no longer applicable under Islamic law due to lack of legitimate jihad and modern ethical norms.
Others insist its legal permissibility remains, even if it is not practiced.
But based purely on Islamic doctrine and traditional jurisprudence, the position is clear:
➡️ Slavery is lawful, regulated, and integrated into Islamic law, but manumission is highly meritorious.
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