Rights of Slaves According To Islam

Islam is a religion with high morality and hence instructs it's true followers to handle every situation in life in the best possible manners. Quran was revealed in various stages and numerous commands that were applicable during the initial instances were enhanced for the betterment of the society in the later phases. As far as the marrying a slave is concerned, the muslims were told in Islam to marry their female slave inorder to maintain their chastity not follow their desires for lust since Islam has taught it's true believers the submission to Allah(SWT) not to their desires and be kind to every individual. In Surah Nisa, it is stated:

“And whose is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. This is “for him among you who feareth to commit sin. But to have patience would be better for you.” (An-Nisa: 25)

"Serve God, and join not any partners with Him ; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours “who are strangers, the Companion by your side, the way-farer (ye meet), And what your right hands possess : for God loveth not the arrogant, the “vainglorious" (An Nisa: 36)

The 'right hand possess' is referred to one's male and female slaves. One has to bear in mind that Islam didn't initiate slavery rather gave the slaves the rights and showed muslims the path to the abolishment of slavery. The women slaves were treated equal to one's wife in terms of rights and respect. She is supposed to be well fed, clothed and given due protection. She had the option to learn Islam and accept or reject it based on her will. She had the option to get herself free by offering ransom. If a master got her female slave pregnant, he then could neither sell her or give her away as a present. Incase if he dies, the female slave and her child won't be considered her property and will be treated free.

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. (Al-Baqra:177)

Also, according to authentic hadeeths:

"Your servants and your slaves are your brothers. Anyone who has slaves should give them from what he eats and wears. He should not charge them with work beyond their capabilities. If you must set them to hard work, in any case I advise you to help them. Source: Bukhari, Iman, 22; Adab, 44; Muslim, Iman, 38–40; Abu Dawud, Adab, 124 .

"Fear Allah concerning your slaves ! " Source: Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari , Nr. 158.

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The slave has his food and clothing. Do not burden a slave with work which he is incapable of doing." Source: Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari , Nr. 192.

Not one of you should [ when introducing someone ] say ‘This is my slave’ , ‘This is my concubine’. He should call them ‘my daughter’ or ‘my son’ or ‘my brother’. Source: Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 2 ,4

"The masters were obliged not to put slaves under hardship; slaves were not to be tortured, abused or treated unjustly. They could marry among “themselves with their master's permission - or with free men or women ! They could appear as witnesses and participate with free men in all “affairs. Many of them were appointed as governors, commanders of army and administrators. In the eyes of Islam, a pious slave has precedence over “an impious free man." Source: Al-Tabataba'i, Tafsir ( vol.16, pp. 338-358 )

"And your slaves ! see that you feed them such food as you eat yourselves and dress them what you yourself wear. And if they commit a “mistake which you are not inclined to forgive then sell them, for they are the servants of Allah and are not to be tormented! " Source: Ibn Sa'd, op. cit., vol. II:1, p. 133

"He will not enter paradise who behaveth ill to his slaves. The companions said, 'O Apostle of God! Have you not told us, that there will be a great many slaves and orphans amongst your disciples?' He said, 'Yes; then be kind to them as your own children, and give them to eat of what you eat yourselves. The slaves that say their prayers are your brothers'."

Islam started from an adverse situation and slowly and gradually became stronger. The true Islam was followed during the era of Prophet(peace be upon him) and his first 4 rightly guided caliphs. Later the state came under the rules of monarchs among which very few were pious. The Prophet(peace be upon him) taught muslims to free the slaves on every chance they get like:

1. If they are not able to keep the fast
2. If they break their promise
3. If they commit a minor sin
4. If they are not able to perform some obligatory act
5. If the slave offers his/her ransom to the owner

Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. (Al-Maeda:89)

And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you. (Al-Noor:33)

But those who divorce their wives by Zihar, then wish to go back on the words they uttered,- (It is ordained that such a one) should free a slave before they touch each other: Thus are ye admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. (Al-Mujadila:3)

The above few verses clearly suggest that slavery was not the most preferred practice in Islam and those who freed slaves with their own money voluntarily were promised great rewards. It also shows that act of slavery had no future in Islam just like other acts like prohibition of alcohal, interest based transactions etc. As the other prohibitions were related to the individuals personal actions, those were completely prohibited during the life time of prophet(peace be upon him) but since the slavery was to change the entire social structure, the 23 years of prophet's life was not enough time to implement that major reform. Setting lose such a large number of slaves on the street could have resulted in an economic collapse due to the lack of resources & opportunities to accomodate that many people. The concept of the abolishment of slavery was to be realized slowly and gradually and institutes were to be built to handle all related issues once the economical system of the muslim state established to that level. Unfortunately, by the time muslims gained strength, wealth and economy, the power went in the hands of monarchs which on most part were corrupt and not interested in abolishing such practices since it gave them an opportunity to keep their lustful practices intact. Hence, instead of Islamic civilization becoming the initiator in abolishing the act of slavery, the monarchs and the kings kept that practice for many centuries to come before the world as a whole got mature enough to realize the reality of human freedom and it was eventually applied to all people around the globe.