Islam and the Rejection of Slavery
Islam and the Rejection of Slavery: How the Divine Message Led to the Liberation of Slaves in Muslim Lands
Islam is one of the religions that seriously addressed the issue of slavery, bringing forth noble principles that promote mercy, justice, and equality among people. While Islam did not abolish slavery immediately upon its revelation, it established clear foundations to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate it, ensuring the protection of the enslaved and upholding their human dignity. This gradual approach was a divine wisdom meant to allow for social transformation without violent upheaval.
One of the key principles Islam emphasized was the humane treatment of slaves, along with encouraging their emancipation as expiation for sins or as a means to seek nearness to God. Islam also promoted the freeing of slaves on various occasions, such as the Day of Arafah or during Hajj, and considered manumission one of the best deeds in the sight of Allah. In the Prophet’s ﷺ saying: “Whoever frees a believing slave, Allah will free him from the Hellfire.”
Furthermore, Islam encouraged voluntary manumission through charity, gifts, and bequests, in addition to instituting emancipation as part of legal penalties and compensations in cases of retribution. These measures significantly reduced the number of slaves over time. Islamic law also granted slaves legal rights, such as the right to marry, earn independently, and seek freedom, thereby strengthening their position in society.
During the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Muslim lands witnessed practical efforts to liberate slaves. The Companions and their followers took it upon themselves to assist in freeing slaves and integrating them into the community. One of the most prominent examples is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who was among the wealthiest men in Quraysh and became known for purchasing and freeing slaves who were being tortured for embracing Islam. The most famous among them was Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him). Similarly, the stories of Companions like Salman al-Farsi, Suhayb al-Rumi, and Bilal ibn Rabah—who endured enslavement and later found freedom through Islam—became inspiring examples of Islam’s firm stance against slavery in a society rooted in piety and justice.
It can be said that Islam established an ethical and legal framework through which slavery was significantly reduced in Muslim societies. Emancipation became a continuous moral path promoted by faith. Although instances of slavery persisted in history, the Islamic approach laid the foundation for human rights and dignity, paving the way for a more just and humane world.
