Quran Alone Institute

Slavery in the Quran

The Quran acknowledges the existence of slavery at the time of its revelation, as reflected in terms like mā malakat aymānakum ("what your right hands possess") and words like ‘abd (male slave) and amah (female slave). These terms appear in various contexts (e.g., 2:221, 4:3, 4:36) and indicate the prevalent reality of the era. However, the Quran does not institutionalize or endorse slavery as a permanent condition; instead, it provides clear guidelines that lead to its gradual abolition.

The Gradual Approach to Abolishing Slavery

The Quran’s strategy for addressing slavery reflects divine wisdom in balancing immediate justice with long-term societal stability.

Advocacy for the Liberation of Slaves: The Quran frequently encourages the emancipation of slaves as a virtuous act and a form of atonement for sins:

Freeing a slave is prescribed as expiation for accidental manslaughter. (4:92)

Releasing a slave is a form of atonement for breaking oaths. (5:89)

Those who violate certain vows toward their wives must free a slave as a form of penance. (58:3)

By linking emancipation to acts of piety and repentance, the Quran incentivizes the freeing of slaves and fosters a culture of liberation.

Prohibition of New Slavery: While the Quran does not explicitly forbid the purchase of slaves, its emphasis on equality, justice, and the dignity of all humans (e.g., 49:13) is incompatible with the perpetuation of slavery. The Quranic call for treating slaves kindly (e.g., 4:36, 9:60) further underscores the moral imperative to move away from this practice.

Integration and Equality: Slaves are considered part of the human family, and the Quran encourages their integration into society.

Masters are instructed to grant freedom to slaves who seek it through a contract of emancipation (mukātabah), provided they are capable of supporting themselves. (24:33)

Righteousness includes spending wealth to liberate captives, highlighting their value as equals. (2:177)

Gradual Abolition to Prevent Social Harm: An immediate ban on slavery could have caused widespread societal upheaval, leaving freed slaves homeless and destitute. The Quran’s gradual approach sought to avoid these negative outcomes by:

Encouraging systematic emancipation.
Providing pathways for self-reliance for freed slaves.

The Quran’s Stance on Equality and Dignity

The Quran’s underlying principles unequivocally reject the notion of one human being owning another:

O people, We created you from a male and female and rendered you various peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. The most noble of you in the sight of God is the most reverent. (49:13)
I do not let the work of any worker among you, male or female, go to waste; you are of one another. (3:195)
And from among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and your colours. Indeed, in that are signs for the knowledgeable. (30:22)

These verses affirm the intrinsic equality of all human beings, regardless of status or circumstances.

Comparisons with Other Practices

The Quran’s approach to abolishing slavery parallels its treatment of other entrenched practices:

Marriage to a father’s wife: Allowed to continue for existing cases but prohibited for the future. (4:22)
Marriage to two sisters simultaneously: Similarly restricted for future cases. (4:23) In both instances, the Quran addressed societal norms gradually to minimize harm while steering communities toward ethical ideals.

Modern Implications

Slavery in any form today is a violation of Quranic principles. The Quran’s emphasis on emancipation, equality, and justice is incompatible with modern slavery or human trafficking. These practices, if they exist, are in direct defiance of God’s commands and the Quran’s vision of a just society.