Muhammad (saw) – The Perfect Man — Page 728
CHAPTER 29 The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa 'skind Treatment of the Slaves 728 gesture of mercy without payment of ransom. This is a unique incident in the history of the world. 8 Even after the implementation of schemes for the freedom of the slaves, some of the slaves were still in bondage. The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa instructed his Companions to treat their slaves kindly. A society where slaves were treated worse than the animals, H u du r sa raised the status of the slaves and established brotherly bond and loving relationship between the slave and the master. Arabs used to beat up their slaves mercilessly as if they were animals. The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa strictly forbade this practice and said, "The best amongst you is the one who is the best for his slave. " 9 Ab u Mas‘ u d Badr i ra was beating his slave for some mistake when the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa saw him, he told him to free the slave. He freed the slave on H u du r sa 's advice. 10 The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa said, "A slave has three rights over his master. First if the slave is offering S al a t, he should not be hassled to hurry up, second, when the slave is eating his meal, he should not be disturbed and the third, he should be fed properly and not left hungry. " 11 The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa gave one slave to Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra and advised him to treat the slave kindly. Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra freed the slave. Later on when H u du r sa enquired