Islam and Slavery — Page 37
37 spirit of slavery was not crushed and the mentality of both the master and the slave remained unchanged. . The second aspect of viewing this question is to see which of the above-mentioned systems ensured greater progress for the emancipated slaves. After the foregoing discussion it is not difficult to answer this question either. . For, naturally that course alone must tend to the greater progress of the slaves which bestows real freedom on them, and this was the one which Islam followed. from. Facts and figures corroborate the conclusion that viewed this standpoint as well, the Islamic mode of emancipation was far more successful and far more beneficial than that adopted by the Modern Christian reformers, for among those who were liberated under the Muslim system, we witness a large number of persons who rose to eminence in different walks of life and who won the distinction of becoming the leaders of Muslims in various spheres of national activity. For instance, among the Companions of the Holy Prophet, as I have already said, Zaid bin Haritha was a freed slave, but he acquired such ability that finding him to be an eminently capable man, the Holy Prophet put him at the head of several military expeditions, placing under him many of his eminent companions including the great Muslim General, Khalid bin Walid. Again there was. Salim bin Ma'qal, an ordinary freed slave of Abu Huzaifa bin Utba, who made such advancement in learning that he won the distinction of being one of the four persons who were selected by the Holy Prophet to instruct the Muslims in the Quran and who were thus thought fit by him to act as his assistants in this respect.