The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks —
General teachings of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) SLAVERY was a common practice almost all over the world, before the time of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Victorious nations of the time considered the people captured in battle as a commodity – not as human beings. They made them work for their own advantage.
The Prophet of Islam, Muhammed (peace be upon him) urged and encouraged the people to free the slaves, by declaring the freeing of slaves to be an act of the highest virtue and an act by which sins are forgiven.
On the other hand, he enjoined on all not to drive them mercilessly in an inhumane manner. He explained that their basic needs, like food and clothing, should be taken care of in a deserving manner.
He, in fact, laid down the basic rights for them and constantly warned that all will be called to account, in the Hereafter, if they failed in their duty to be just and merciful to the slaves and servants.
He emphasized this to such an extent that it is reported that he even highlighted the need to observe due right towards them, while he was close to the time of his death. This shows the importance that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) attached to this social aspect of our lives.
History records that the entire course of the lives of slaves and servants was transformed as a result of these teachings, and their human dignity was restored to them.
Many of them rose to be great scholars and leaders holding high posts of office. Eventually the whole world was influenced by this guidance and slavery became a thing of the past.
However, we continue to have a system, in almost all societies and communities whereby we employ domestic workers or servants – and they are simply taken in without remuneration as such.
There is a need to ensure that their rights are duly observed and that they are not ill-treated. The teachings of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) extend to all types of workers who are in the service or employ of others.
Due consideration and kind treatment Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), in constituting the fundamental rights of workers/servants, stipulated to all his followers that “Food and clothing are the (fundamental) rights of the workers/servants and they should not be assigned to such tasks which may be beyond their capacity.”
On another occasion, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “They are your brothers (the servants). Allah Almighty has placed them under you. So he who has a brother under him should feed him and clothe him as he himself does, and should not take from him any work that is beyond his power.
If he does tell him to do such work then he should also join in it (and help him).” Here the servants have been declared to be the brothers of their masters, and therefore deserve treatment like brothers are not both of them, servant and master, the children of Adam, after all!
To be continued…
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications Department P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003 e-mail: [email protected]
