Islam and Slavery — Page 7
7. to the family might altogether disappear and there might be free intermixing with them like that of near relatives. . So much about the injunctions of the Quran about the treatment of the existing slaves. We now turn to the sayings of the Holy Prophet (may peace and the blessings of God be upon him) on this subject. . Abu Zar, a companion of the Holy Prophet relates that the Prophet used to say, "Your slaves are your brethren. So if any one of you happens to have a slave, let him give him the same food that he himself eats, and the same clothing that he himself wears. And do not give them such work as is beyond their power to perform, and if you ever happen to give them such work, you should help them in doing it. ” (¹). The words "You should help them in dọing it” also contain the hint that the work given to the slaves should be of a nature that if their masters themselves have to perform it they should not think it a disgrace to do so. . The saying of the Holy Prophet quoted above leaves no doubt as to the fact that his teachings not only enjoin most kind treatment of the slaves, the like of which is not to be found in any other religion or society, but that the real object of those teachings was that Muslims should look upon their slaves as their own brethren and that the standard of living of the slaves should be on a par with their own, so that their social status may soon be raised to that of the free men and that all sense of degradation and (1) Bukhari, Kitab Al-Itq.