The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 210
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 210 whole of Europe, America, the whole of Africa or Australia of a freed slave who attained such a status of leadership and ascendancy in any field where even the nation who freed him began to accept him as a guide? We do not claim to be an expert on the history of nations, but to our knowledge, we are unable to find a single example from among the freed slaves of Christian nations, where any such person attained such a level of distinction. Rather, all that can be witnessed is that these people continued to remain insignificant, which is proof of the fact that the Islāmic method of manumission was definitely far more beneficial and far more blessed. In these circumstances, to present the name of a current-day reformer in competition to the reform of the Holy Prophet sa is an insult of the truth. Invariably, we look to the work of these people with regard as well and praise their efforts. However, the effort of every individual possesses a certain status and the truth is that the reforms instituted by the Holy Prophet sa possess such a status as cannot be compared to the effort of any other person. Fourteen hundred years from today, when the world considered slavery to be their birthright and the state of slaves was worse than animals, the Holy Prophet sa raised a voice in support of slaves. He employed immensely sagacious strategies to practically improve the state of existing slaves, by completely abolishing all cruel practices of slavery for the future. Then, in addition to emphatically advocating the manumission of slaves, he instituted such a wise system by which these slaves could continue to improve their own state and then naturally continue to be freed as well. He also made it an obligation of the State to strictly oversee the work of reforming the state of slaves as well as to administer their gradual, but compulsory manumission. Then, the Holy Prophet sa managed this system so marvelously that those slaves who were freed, and their numbers ran into the millions, not only truly became free, but also became extremely beneficial citizens of the country and nation as well. Such people were then born among them who attained the status of being commanders and leaders among the Muslims. Even the necks of those who had freed them bowed before them. This is the work undertaken by the Holy Prophet sa , and it is this work of which no parallel can be found in the history of the world. Hence, to raise an allegation in the manner of ignorant people as to why the Holy Prophet sa did not free all slaves at once as Abraham Lincoln or other Western personalities have done, is merely a superficial outburst of human emotions, which possesses no depth at all.