Islam & Christianty

Elimination of Slavery

Islam is the first Religion to improve the condition of slaves and to take steps for the total abolition of slavery. As the first step, the Glorious Prophet made kind and brotherly treatment of

slaves, a duty of Muslims. They were to be considered as members of the family:

 

"Your slaves are your brethren. So if any one of you happens to have a slave, let him give him the same food that he himself' eats, and the same clothing that he himself wears. And do not give them such work as is beyond their power to perform, and if you ever happen. to give them. Such work, you should help them in doing it. "

(Bukhari, Kitab Al- 'Itq)

 

The following are just two of the many verses of the Glorious Qur'an exhorting men to emancipate the slaves:

 

(Ali, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! It is to free the slaves and to feed in the day of hunger an orphan near of kin, or some poor wretch in misery, and to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity.)

(90: 12-17)

 

(and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in God and the Last Day... and giveth his wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and t0 orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free... )

(2:177)

 

The institution of slavery being opposed to the Islamic teaching of the equality and dignity of man, the Prophet prohibited the taking of fresh slaves in very strong words:

 

"God has spoken to me, saying, there are three classes of men whose adversary I shall be on the Day of Judgment. Firstly, the man who makes a covenant with someone in My Name and then breaks it. Secondly, the man who enslaves a free man, sells him and eats his price. Thirdly, the man who employs a man to do a work and exacts pill work from him but does not pay him his full wages"

(Bukhari, Kitab Al-Bai ')

 

Finally, came the categorical Command of God not only to give freedom to the slaves but also a part of 0ne's wealth to rehabilitate them:

 

(And such of your slaves as seek a writing of emancipation, write it for them, if you are aware of aught of good in them, and bestowed upon them of the wealth of God which He hath bestowed upon you.)

(Qur'an 24:33)

 

On the other hand, Jesus was not related to say anything to emancipate the slaves or to improve the lot of these miserable creatures.