The Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram recently kidnapped more than 200 young girls, allegedly to sell into sexual slavery. Extremist Muslim clerics and extreme critics of Islam have long shared the conviction — amongst some others — that Islam allows keeping slaves, at least in certain circumstances, and permits their rape. This myth is unfounded. Slavery was the norm in the Arabia that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) opened his eyes in. Anyone who could afford to buy a slave, kept one. Unfortunately, these slaves — especially girls — had no dignified status in society. They were bought and sold like property. They were overworked, abused and looked down upon as inferior beings.

Deeply troubled by this social injustice, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) set out to emancipate slaves. He did not do this with the stroke of a pen. Letting the slaves go free, having to fend for themselves, be homeless and form isolated settlements would not ensure equal rights and status. Instead, he embraced them, assimilated them into society and made them useful contributors to the growing Muslim community. He uplifted them and ousted their inferiority complex. He instructed the Muslims to free the slaves who could stand on their own feet and forbade slave trade at all costs. He taught that all humans were equal and so it was not proper to address a slave with that word. He said: “Let none of you call out to his slave saying, ‘My slave boy!’ or ‘My slave girl!’ nor let a slave call out to his master saying, ‘My Lord!’ but let the master call out to the slave saying, ‘My young man!’ or ‘My young woman!’ and let the slave call out to the master as ‘My chief!’”

Islam offered many ways for former slaves to be incorporated into society. One such means was marriage. No Arab noble would have ever conceived of marrying a slave but Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) broke this taboo with his own example. He inspired a new way of thinking in Arab society. He taught: “He who has a slave girl, educates and treats her nicely and then marries her will get a double reward.”

While Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was starting a social revolution in Arabia, he found himself in a very hostile environment. Muslims were persecuted for over a decade in Mecca. They were boycotted, thrown out of the city and forced to migrate to Medina. Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) enemies were persistent. They pursued him there as well. Just two years after his immigration, a 1,000-man strong army marched out of Mecca with the intent to finish the Muslims forever. It was at this time that fighting was first permitted in self-defence (2:190). The Muslims, only 300 in number, defended themselves and won this battle decisively at Badr. Muslims had to counter many more offensives. Thus, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) laid down clear rules and regulations for warfare. No women, children, elderly, monks, worship places and trees, for example, were to be hurt during fighting.

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