Slavery was a common practice in Arabia, and almost all over the
world, before the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Victorious nations
of the time considered the people captured by them, in battle, as a
"commodity" - not as human beings - and used them mercilessly for
their own advantage.
The beloved Prophet of Islam (PBUH)urged and encouragedthe people
tofree the slaves, by declaring the freeing of slaves an act of
highest virtue and an act by which sins are forgiven. On the other
hand he enjoined on allnot to drive them like animals. He explained
that their basic needs, like food and clothing should be taken care of
in a deserving manner.
He, in fact, constantly warned the Muslims that they will becalled to
account, in thehereafter, if they failed in their duty to be just and
merciful to the slaves and servants. He emphasized this to such an
extent that it is reported by Ali (R.A.) that the last words, spoken
by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), (at the time of his death) were,
"Observe Salaah (the prayers), Observe Salaah And fear Allah with
regards to your slaves and servants."
This shows theimportancethat the Holy Prophet (PBUH) attached to
theirrights- that he even stressed its significance upon his followers
at the time of his departure from this world.
History tells that the entire course of the lives of slaves and
servants was transformed, as a result of these teachings, and their
human dignity was restored to them. Many of them rose to begreat
scholars and leadersholding high posts of office. Eventually the whole
world was influenced by this guidance and slaverybecame a thing of the
past.
Kind and Merciful treatment
It is related by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) that Rasulullah (PBUH) said,
"Food and dress are the right of the slave and he should not be
assigned to task which may be beyond his capacity."
These points constitute thefundamental rightsof slaves and servants -
that one should fulfill their basic need for food and clothing in
kindness and should be merciful in assigning any work to them.
In another Hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said,
"They are your brothers (the slaves and servants). Allah has placed
them under your authority. So he who has a brother under him should
feed him and clothe him as he himself does, and should not take from
him any work that is beyond his power. If he does tell him to do such
work then he should also join in it - (and help him)."
Here the slaves and servants have been declared to be thebrothers of
their masters, and therefore deserve treatment like brothers - are not
both of them, servant and master, the children of Adam, after all!
In yet anotherstrikingHadith, Prophet (PBUH) said,
"When your slave or servant prepares food for you and lays it for you
- while he has suffered the inconvenience of heat and smoke when
cooking - you should ask him to sit down and share the meal. If the
food is in a small quantity (and cannot suffice) at least give him a
morsel or two there from (at least a little)."
Policy of Forgiveness
Furthermore, Rasulullah (PBUH) constantly emphasized the need to adopt
apolicy of forgivenesswith servants - This is very clear from the
Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) that once a person came to
the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) and asked "O Prophet of Allah! To what
extent should we forgive the mistakes and faults of our slaves and
servants?"
The Prophet (PBUH) remained silent whereupon the man repeated this
question. The Prophet (PBUH) again, remained silent and when the man
asked for a third time, he replied "Seventy times a day."
Evidently the figure, seventy, does not denote the exact number here
but a servant should be forgiven even if he makes a mistakes often.
"Forgiving" in this Hadith means that thepunishment should not be
inflictedon servants in a spirit of vengeance. But there is no harm,
however, if they are taken to task with politeness in view of their
correction - which would actually be for their own good.
Revenge and Account for Bad Treatment
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say
"Whoever beats the slave or Servant unjustly, revenge will be taken
from him on the Day of Judgment."
Abu Mas'ood (R.A.) narrates that "Once I was beating my slave when I
heard a voice behind -(saying)" Oh Abu Mas'ood! Remember that Allah
has a greater power and authority over you than you have over the poor
slave."
I turned around and saw that it was the Prophet of Allah (PBUH)
whereupon I said "Oh Prophet of Allah - he is now free for the sake of
Allah (I have set him free)." The Prophet (PBUH) observed that "Be
informed that had you not done so (i.e. set him free) you would be
consumed in the fire of Hell!"
Loyalty of Slaves and Servants to their Masters
Whilst enjoining the masters to be fair and generous in their
treatment of the slaves and servants, The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also
emphasized upon the slaves and servants their duty toremain faithful
to their masters.
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said,
"It is a matter of great success and good fortune for a slave or
servant that Allah raises him from this world (gives him death) in a
state that he is a worshipper of the Creator and he is loyal to his
master."
In another Hadith related by Abdullah ibn Umar (R.A.), the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) said, "When a slave or servant isfaithfulto his master
and alsoworships his Creator,he is deserving of adouble reward(in the
hereafter).
Theprincipal featureof The Holy Prophet's teachings is that he urges
each class and individual tofulfill the rights of otherswith a full
sense of responsibility and consider it a source of good fortune in
both the worlds. He, thus, enjoins upon the masters tofear Allah in
respect of their slaves and servants, (by treating them fairly and
kindly) and he enjoins upon the slaves and servants to beloyal and
sincere to their masters.
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