Slavery

True righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and who gives wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers, and those who ask for help, and for freeing slaves.

A believer should never kill another believer, except by mistake. Whoever does so must free a believing slave and pay compensation to the victim’s family, unless they choose to forgo it. If the victim belonged to a hostile people but was a believer, then the atonement is freeing a believing slave. If the victim was from a people bound to you by a treaty, then compensation must be paid along with freeing a believing slave. Those unable to do so must fast for two consecutive months. This is Allah’s mercy and command;

- Allah has heard the plea of the woman who argued with you about her husband and appealed to Him. He hears your conversation.

Those who declare their wives as forbidden, like their mothers, speak falsely. Their wives are not their mothers; their mothers are only those who bore them.

Those who make such declarations and then retract must free a slave before touching their wives. This is what you are commanded. Allah is aware of what you do.

And what will make you understand the steep path?

It is freeing a slave

believers, legal retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder, the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female.

Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe, for a believing slave-woman is better than a polytheist, even if she pleases you. Likewise, do not give your women in marriage to polytheistic men until they believe, for a believing slave-man is better than a polytheist, even if he pleases you.

If any of you cannot afford to marry free, believing women, then marry from among the believing slave women under your care.

Allah does not hold you accountable for thoughtless oaths, but He does for those made with intent. The expiation is feeding ten needy people, clothing them, or freeing a slave. If unable, then fasting for three days. Keep your oaths, thus Allah makes His commands clear so you may be grateful.

Allah sets forth a parable: A slave owned by another, powerless to do anything, compared to one whom We have granted good provision, which he spends freely, are they equal? Praise be to Allah, but most people do not understand.

Allah sets forth an example: A man enslaved by many masters, each pulling him in a different direction, and another man devoted to one master. Are they equal? Praise be to Allah, but most people do not understand.

Truly successful are the believers

Those who are humble in their prayers

Who turn away from idle talk

Who give in charity with purpose

Who guard their chastity

Except with their spouses or slave girls, for in that they are without blame.

O Prophet, We have made lawful for you your wives to whom you have given dowries, and slave girls from among the captives Allah has granted you.

- Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not to be taken lightly

And those who guard their chastity

Except with their spouses or slave girls, for then they are not blameworthy.

To Pharaoh and his elite, but they acted arrogantly, for they were a haughty people.

They said, “Shall we believe two men like us, while their people are our slaves?”

Is that the favour you taunt me with, while you have enslaved the Children of Israel?”

Pharaoh said, “And what is the Lord of the Worlds?”

There is no blame upon the Prophet’s wives regarding their fathers, sons, brothers, nephews, their own women, or their slave girls.