Islam and Slavery — Page 11
11 not recognise the voice and went on chastising him. Then the voice drew near and grew louder and when I looked back, I saw that the Holy Prophet, himself was rapidly advancing towards me, saying, 'Abu Masood, what are you doing?" When I saw him, my stick dropped from my hand. . The Prophet cast an angry look at me, and said, ‘Abu. Masood, do you not know there is God above you Who has far greater power over you than you seem to have over your slave. I said, 'O Messenger of God forgive me, I set this slave free for Allah's sake. ' The Holy Prophet said, ‘if you had not done so, the fire of Hell would have scorched your face. " (1). Again. Ibn Abbas, the Holy Prophet's cousin, says :"Once a slave came to the Prophet and said, 'O Messenger of God, my master had married me to his bondwoman, but he now desires to annul the marriage and separate us from each other. " Thereupon the Holy Prophet ascended the pulpit in great rage, and addressing the people said, 'O Ye Muslims, why is it that you first marry your slaves to your bondwomen and then desire to separate them from one another of your own accord. Remember that you have no power to do that. The right of divorce rests in the husband and you cannot compel your slaves to divorce their wives. " (2). Another tradition relates that, “Omar, son of Khattab (second Successor of the Holy Prophet), used to visit the suburbs of Medinah and if he found a slave who was given work beyond his power, he forthwith ordered a mitigation in the work," (3) (1) Muslim, Kitab Al-Iman. (2) Ibn Majah, Kitab Al-Talaq. (3) Muatta, Chapter on kind treatment of slaves.