Islam and Human Rights — Page 86
Isl am and Hum an R ights 86 sword, but if spared, were held in slavery. Islam prohibited slave-driving raids altogether, made aggressive war unlawful, improved out of recognition the lot of prisoners of war taken in defensive fighting by in stituting regulations which should secure not only humane but civilized and liberal treatment of them, and set up values and standards which, if they had been persisted in, would have secured the abolition of the institution of slav ery within a comparatively short period. The Prophet’s own attitude towards slavery is well - known. After his marriage with Khadeejah, who was weal thy in her own right, while the Prophet (the event took place fifteen years before he received the Divine call) owned practically nothing at all, she placed all that she owned at his disposal. He distributed the greater part of her property to the poor and freed all her slaves. One young man, Zaid, chose voluntarily to stay with him and to serve him. After a time his father and uncle tracked him to Mecca and offered to purchase his freedom. The Prophet explained that Zaid was free and could go with them if he so wished, and that there was no question of any payment. Zaid, however, refused to go with them pointing out to them that he was much happier where he was than he would be at home with his parents.