Islam and Slavery — Page 42
42 there appeared men who, either through ignorance or from worldliness, even distorted and disfigured the noble teachings of Islam. The result was, that following the example of other nations which still practised slavery in a most disgusting form, the Muslims also abandoned the injunctions of Islam and reverted to the cruel ways of enslavement, which Islam aimed to extirpate. It is true that even in these days of degradation, the condition of slaves in Muslim countries has, on the whole, been better than in other countries, and the Muslims, notwithstanding their outward possession of slaves, have never allowed themselves to foster the spirit of slavery, whereas in some. Christan countries like Abyssinia slavery still rages in a horrid form, and even in the civilised countries of Europe and America there still exists slavery in spirit, though not in letter. But the worse condition of a neighbouring nation cannot exonerate us from the blame of a bad state of affairs in our own. It is, therefore, an imperative duty of Muslim governments and Muslim societies to devote themselves · strenuously and whole-heartedly to the practical abolition of slavery and bring the world once more to that blessed goal to which the Holy Prophet of Islam and his companions desired to lead the world-a goal of true freedom and true equality in the world.