Muhammad The Liberator of Mankind — Page 28
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra However, for those unable to earn a livelihood and who would resort to begging if freed, their masters are instructed to retain custody and provide for their basic needs. They should be nourished from the master's own provisions and clothed with their own garments. Slavery does not exist within Islam Every person who reads these teachings can acknowl- edge that considering the conventional definition of slavery that exists in this world, slavery does not pre- vail in Islam. Although, according to the interpreta- tion provided by the philosophical teachings regarding slavery and based on which, slavery might actually be considered acceptable or even unacceptable, or it could be considered necessary or unnecessary; few forms of slavery have been considered legal in Islam. These forms of slavery are termed acceptable and necessary, the ces- sation of which would not be favoured by any discern- ing individual. Discontinuing them could potentially incite riots and uproars, impeding genuine freedom and obstructing societal progress. Islam has shunned the unacceptable aspects of slavery and has not only discouraged slavery, like others, but has also provided a solution for the reasons and motives for slavery so that man would not be obliged to indulge in slavery. 28