Islam and Slavery — Page 4
of the teachings of the Quran, and stimulated by the example of the Prophet vied with one another in taking an active part in this movement. Muslim history teems with instances of slaves set free by their Muslim masters. . But the question is whether the work of the Holy. Prophet with regard to slaves was confined only to the improvement of their position and gradual emancipation, or whether he took effective steps to put an end to the cruel inhuman ways of reducing free men to slavery. It is true. that even if it be supposed that his work did not go beyond the limit stated above, he can not fail to be regarded as one of the great benefactors of humanity for having rendered conspicuous service in amelioration of the condition of slaves, and inaugurating a movement for their emancipation. But his real work went very much farther, for, he not only ameliorated the condition of the slaves, but took effective measures to abolish slavery altogether. His teachings about slaves thus fall under two heads:(1) Teachings for the betterment of the condition of the existing slaves and measures for their gradual emancipation. (2) Steps for the permanent abolition of slavery. . We propose to deal in these pages with the teachings of the Holy Prophet under each of these two heads.