Understanding Islam — Page 167
165 clothe them with the same clothes you wear, and do not burden them with so much that they are overwhelmed; if you do burden them, then help them. 2 There are many other similar statements of Prophet Muhammad sa and if these teachings are followed in letter and spirit, a slave would become like a member of the family and would not be treated any differently, and would cease to be a ‘slave’. On top of this, Islam emphasizes the emancipation of slaves as the Holy Quran states: And what should make thee know what the ascent is? It is the freeing of a slave. 3 It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for the emancipation of slaves… 4