The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 191
V - Conduct of the Holy Prophet sa with Slaves and His Teachings on the Issue of Slavery 191 Meaning, “If a person takes an oath in the name of God, then breaks it, the expiation for this is the feeding of ten poor people according to his capacity, or the clothing of them, or the freeing of a slave. But whoso is unable to find a slave shall fast for three days. ” 1 Then, He states:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meaning, “As to those who vow to abstain from their wives, but for some reason, desire to return to them, their expiation is the freeing of a slave. . . . . But whoso does not find one, he must fast for two successive months. . . . . And whoso is not able to fast, should feed sixty poor people. ” 2 These are the different methods of expiation, which Islām has prescribed for the manumission of slaves. Moreover, as per its custom, taking into consideration a variance in circumstances, Islām has prescribed two or three alternatives and given Muslims the choice to follow whichever course of action is easiest and best. Furthermore, it is with great wisdom that in these verses, wherever God the Exalted has alluded to the freeing of slaves, He has also added that if an individual is unable to find a slave, then the following method should be employed. This proves that the actual intent of Islām was to ultimately do away with the practice of slavery all together. Hence, as an alternative to the practice of freeing a slave, the words, “If an individual is unable to find a slave,” definitely demonstrate that there is no doubt in the fact that the prime objective of Islām was to free existing slaves. 1 Al-Mā’idah (5:90) 2 Al-Mujādalah (58:4-5)