General teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
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 encouraged the
people to free 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 all not 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 be
called to account, in the hereafter, 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 the importance that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) attached to
their rights - 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 be great scholars and leaders holding high posts of
office. Eventually the whole world was influenced by this
guidance and slavery became 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 the fundamental rights of 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 the brothers
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 another striking Hadith, 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 a policy of forgiveness with 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 the
punishment should not be inflicted on 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 to
remain 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 is faithful to
his master and also worships his Creator, he is deserving of a
double reward (in the hereafter).
The
principal feature of The Holy Prophet's teachings is that he
urges each class and individual to fulfill the rights of
others with a full sense of responsibility and consider it a
source of good fortune in both the worlds. He, thus, enjoins
upon the masters to fear Allah in respect of their slaves and
servants, (by treating them fairly and kindly) and he enjoins
upon the slaves and servants to be loyal and sincere to their
masters.
