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| The review |
Mr. Wallace documents the historical practice of slavery in Islam. As noted Mr. Wallace reasons that the best English source for learning about Islam is not the Qu'ran, nor it is the Sunnah. (58). The author suggests a classic text on Islamic law titled Reliance of the Traveller (ROT). (58). See below his text on page 103 noting ROT o9.13 and o9.14.
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| Page 103 |
Mr. Wallace writes that rules on Islamic slavery are documented in Chapter Eight of the Qur'an. (103).
Some examples
The Noble Qur'an
Qur'an (8:69)
69. So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Qur'an (33:50)
The Noble Qur'an
50. O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have made lawful to you your wives, to whom you have paid their Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), and those (captives or slaves) whom your right hand possesses - whom Allah has given to you, and the daughters of your 'Amm (paternal uncles) and the daughters of your 'Ammah (paternal aunts) and the daughters of your Khal (maternal uncles) and the daughters of your Khalah (maternal aunts) who migrated (from Makkah) with you, and a believing woman if she offers herself to the Prophet, and the Prophet wishes to marry her; a privilege for you only, not for the (rest of) the believers. Indeed We know what We have enjoined upon them about their wives and those (captives or slaves) whom their right hands possess, - in order that there should be no difficulty on you. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Noble Qur'an
Quran (23:5-6) - "..who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess..."
The Religion of Peace
The Religion of Peace website provides other examples from the Qur'an as well as the Hadith and Sira.
Quote
Islam neither ignores nor condemns slavery. In fact, a large part of the Sharia is dedicated to the practice. Muslims are encouraged to live in the way of Muhammad, who was a slave owner and trader. He captured slaves in battle; he had sex with his slaves; and he instructed his men to do the same. The Quran actually devotes more verses to making sure that Muslim men know they can keep women as sex slaves (4) than it does to telling them to pray five times a day (zero).
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Mr. Wallace has correctly opined that orthodox historical, scriptural Islam supports slavery in contexts.
Again, as with orthodox Islamic teaching in general, I am not stating that the majority of modern Muslims follow this orthodox teaching. Certainly a significant number of westernized Muslims will interpret such Islamic scriptures more liberally. One significant reason would be to avoid the negative impact of such views within the context of Western worldviews.
BBC
Cited
Abolition Muslims and the abolition of slavery Slavery remained part of the fabric of Islam for over 1200 years (although the Druze, a group that sprung from Muslim roots, abolished it in the 11th century). While slavery was in theory greatly limited by Islamic law, in practice it persisted on a large scale in Muslim lands.
Cited
Since slavery is permitted by Islamic law, Muslim countries have used secular law to ban it.
