Islam and Slavery — Page 29
29. That the Holy Prophet put the freed slaves on exactly the same level with the most respected of the free citizens may further be judged from the fact that he gave in marriage his own cousin, Zainab, to Zaid, his freed slave. (1) What greater honour could be bestowed on an emancipated slave ?. And curiously enough, Zaid is the only companion of the. Holy Prophet who has been mentioned by name in the. Quran. (2). Again, we notice in history that some of the emancipated slaves rose to great eminence by reason of their learning and culture. For instance, Salim bin Ma'qal, the freed slave of Huzaifa, was reckoned among the most learned of the companions. Indeed he was one of the four whom the Holy Prophet appointed for giving lessons in the Quran. (3). How the emancipated slaves were revered for their piety and righteousness may be further judged from the fact that Omar (second Successor of the Holy Prophet) often used to say of Bilal that he was their chief and lord. (4) ·. Again, not only in the time of the Holy Companions, but also in the succeeding generations, some of the freed slaves rose to high eminence in Muslim society. For instance, Ata son of Abi Ribah, Mujahid, son of Jubair. Nafi, the free slave of Ibn Omar and Moosa bin Uqbah were counted among the most eminent of those Muslims who came after the Companions of the Holy Prophet, and persons of high social position considered it an honour to sit before them as pupils. (5) (1) Isabah and Usud Al-Ghaba. (2) Quran 33:38. (3) Bukhari, Kitab Fazail. (4) Bukhari, Kitab Fazail. (5) Tahzib al-Tahzib,