Liberation of the Slaves in Islam
*Quran strongly encourages people to free their slaves that they already
possess [Quran 90:12-13; 9:60; 2:177; etc.]
Slavery. During the times of Abu Bakr, slavery was a deep rooted institution,
and was a conspicuous feature of Makkah. Most of the Quraish were slave owners
and thus in the society of Makkah there was a considerable sprinkling of
slaves. These slaves were the victims of exploitation, and were treated in an
inhuman way by their masters. Many of the slaves were attracted by Islam, for
in its teachings lay a charter of freedom for the distressed humanity. Islam
preached the cult of equality. It stipulated that all persons were the slaves
of God, and no person could be the slave of another person. When many slaves
accepted Islam, the slave owners of Makkah felt much concerned, and considered
such conversions as a threat to their economic interests.
Persecution of the slaves. Of all the persons who became Muslims, the slaves
were the most vulnerable. These men of the Quraish who were converted to Islam
continued to enjoy the protection of their respective tribes. The slaves
enjoyed no such protection. In order to arrest the progress of Islam among the
slaves, the Quraish accordingly resorted to a campaign of persecution and
torture against the slaves who professed to be Muslims.
Bilal. Bilal, an Abyssinian who later became the 'Muadhdhin' of Islam was a
slave of Umayyah bin Khalaf. Bilal accepted Islam and thereupon his master
subjected him to great torture. Umayyah would make Bilal lie down on the
burning sand, and would place a huge block of stone on his chest. Umayyah would
then ask Bilal to give up Islam, or he would be tortured to death Umayyah
would, sometimes tie a rope round the neck of Bilal, and had him dragged in the
streets. Sometimes Bilal was made to put on steel armor, and stand in the hot
sun for hours. In spite of these tortures and threats, Bilal remained firm and
steadfast in his faith in Islam. The condition of Bilal excited the pity of Abu
Bakr. He purchased him from his master and set him free.
Abu Fakih. Abu Fakih was a slave of Safwan bin Umayyah. Abu Fakih accepted
Islam, and when Safwan came to know that Abu Fakih had become a Muslim, he
subjected him to great torture. He would bind him with a rope, and drag him on
the burning sand. Abu Fakih was asked to worship the idols, but he said that he
would worship Allah alone. His master put a very heavy stone on his chest which
brought out his tongue. In spite of these persecutions, the faith of Abu Fakih
in Islam did not waver. When Abu Bakr came to know of the pitiable condition of
Abu Fakih, he purchased him from his master and set him free.
Lubaynah. Lubaynah was a slave girl of Umar. She accepted Islam, and Umar who
had not accepted Islam by that time would beat her mercilessly until he was
tired. He would then say, "I have only stopped beating you, because I am
tired." She would say. "May God treat you in the same way". He asked her to
renounce Islam, but she stuck to her faith. When Abu Bakr came to know of her
sad state, he paid for her, and set her free.
Al Nahdiah. Al Nahdiah and her daughter who became Muslims were the slaves of a
lady of Bani Abdul Dar. Their mistress subjected them to great torture when she
came to know that they had accepted Islam. Abu Bakr remonstrated with the lady
at the treatment she meted out to her slaves. The mistress said, "You have
corrupted them; you may free them if you are so sympathetic to them." Abu Bakr
paid the price asked for, and liberated the women.
Umm Ubays and Zinnira. Abu Bakr also liberated two women slaves, Umm Ubays
and Zinnira. Abu Jahl beat Zinnira on her conversion to Islam to such an extent
that she lost her eye sight. When she lost her eye sight the Quraish said that
she had lost her sight because of the curse of Al Lat and Al Uzzah. She was
asked to recant, but she remained steadfast in her faith in Islam. She prayed
to God, and miraculously her eye sight was restored. Abu Bakr paid for these
women and set them free.
Slaves liberated by Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr purchased the freedom of eight
slaves-four men and four women. The men were Bilal, Abu Fakih, Ammar, and Abu
Fuhayra. The women were: Lubaynah, Nabdiya, Umm Ubays, and Zinnira.
Abu Bakr's father's reaction to the liberation of slaves. Most of the slaves
liberated by Abu Bakr were either women or old and frail men. The father of Abu
Bakr said to him, "Son, I hear you are freeing old and weak persons; why don't
you free healthy and strong persons who could be a source of strength to you?"
Abu Bakr replied that he was freeing the slaves for the sake of God, and not
for his own sake.
Divine approval. The Holy Prophet of Islam was all praise for Abu Bakr for his
generosity in purchasing the freedom of slaves who were tortured on the ground
that they had accepted Islam.
The conduct of Abu Bakr was approved by God in the following verses of the Holy
Quran:
"He who gives in charity and fears Allah And in all sincerity testifies to
the Truth; We shall indeed make smooth for him the path of Bliss." (92:5-7)
"Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification; And have in
their minds no favor from any one For which a reward is expected in return, But
only the desire to seek the Countenance, Of their Lord, Most High; And soon
they shall attain complete satisfaction." (92:8-21)
Source: http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31481
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"The future religion of the educated, cultured and enlightened people
will be Islam."
- - George Bernard Shaw
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