http://amsa.org.uk; This series, entitled ‘Islam and Slavery’ will examine the practice of the Prophet Muhammadsa with regards to the institution of slavery. It will compare the success of his policies and teachings with those of other individuals and groups, and will allow the reader to formulate a judgment as to which methods were most effective in achieving the ultimate goal – namely, the complete abolition of slavery. This article, the second in the series, will explore the practical methods that the Prophet Muhammadsa employed in physically abolishing the institution of slavery.
Christianity is often described as the religion of peace; the faith in which one must offer the other cheek if struck on the first and in which one must strive for goodness, tolerance and harmony. Indeed, the message of Jesus Christ was certainly that of compassion and love, however what he did not initiate was a complete social transformation in those he preached to. Despite being a Prophet of peace, the scope and extent of Jesus’ teachings, unlike those of the Prophet Muhammad, did not encompass all the ills of the world.
Slavery in the Bible
One such example of this can be found with respect to slavery. Far from condemning this practice, the Bible appears to wholeheartedly condone it.
In the Gospel of Luke, for example, it is stated that that slave which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.1 Ephesians orders slaves to obey your earthly masters with respect and fear…2 and 1 Peter goes a step further, commanding slaves to accept the authority of their masters not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.3Nowhere in the Bible does it mention the abolition of slavery, nor suggest any methods for removing this practice from the face of the earth.
In contrast, Islam, as a complete system of moral, social and spiritual progress, not only calls for the abolition of slavery but gives clear guidelines and instructions to ensure that this social revolution can be accomplished fairly and safely. The first article in this series explored how the Prophet Muhammad liberated slaves from the shackles of oppression by teaching that they should be treated by their masters as equals or close relatives, rather than as underlings. However the process of abolishing slavery was accomplished by the Prophet Muhammad in form as well as in spirit.
Categories: Accepting Islam, Answers to Anti-Islam, CHRISTIANITY, Church, ISLAM, The Muslim Times