• There are many other verses in the Bible that mention slavery. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, slavery is discussed as an accepted part of life and often seen as a necessary and even beneficial institution. In the ancient world, slavery was a common practice, and the Bible reflects this reality.

Jesus and Slavery

It is important to note that Jesus did not directly address the issue of slavery in the New Testament, as it was a cultural institution at the time and not unique to any one country or religion. However, Jesus did teach principles that are relevant to the issue of slavery, such as the inherent value and dignity of all people and the importance of loving one’s neighbor as oneself. Additionally, the apostle Paul, who claimed to be an Apostle of Jesus and played a key role in the early spread of Christianity, wrote extensively about the concept of slavery and how Christians should approach it. In his letters to the early churches, Paul encouraged slaves to serve their masters faithfully and to respect their masters as they would respect Christ.

Islam’s Stance on Slavery

When Prophet Muhammad arrived, there were many causes of slavery, such as warfare, debt (where the debtor became a slave if they couldn’t pay off their debt), kidnapping, raids, poverty, and need. Slavery did not spread throughout all continents except through kidnapping; rather, kidnapping was the main source of slaves in Europe and America in later centuries.

• The texts of Islam take a strong stance against this. In a hadith, it is stated:

Full Context of Quran 24:33

Understanding Quranic Verses on Freeing Slaves

Quran 90:7-13 This passage highlights the importance of breaking through difficult obstacles and barriers. One of the ways to achieve this is through the act of freeing a slave, which was seen as a virtuous and commendable action in the eyes of God. This is because it is a means of showing kindness and compassion towards those who are in a vulnerable and disadvantaged position.

Quran 9:60 This verse is from the chapter of the Quran known as Surah At-Tawbah, which discusses various aspects of Islamic law and society. Here, the Quran mentions the importance of zakat, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is a form of obligatory charity that Muslims must pay, and this verse highlights the various categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat, including those who are in debt, travelers, and slaves or captives who are seeking to be freed.

Quran 2:177 This verse from Surah Al-Baqarah is one of the most comprehensive descriptions of what constitutes righteousness in Islam. It emphasizes that true righteousness is not just about outward displays of piety, but also includes acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion towards others. One of the examples mentioned is the act of freeing slaves, which was seen as a particularly meritorious deed in Islamic tradition.

Quran 24:33 This verse is from Surah An-Nur, which primarily deals with issues related to morality, ethics, and social conduct. Here, the Quran encourages Muslims to avoid engaging in immoral or exploitative behavior, particularly towards their slaves or servants. It also highlights the importance of treating such individuals with dignity and respect, and allowing them the opportunity to earn their freedom through a contractual agreement known as “kitabah”.

In addition to these verses, there are many other passages in the Quran and Hadith that speak to the importance of freeing slaves and treating them with compassion and kindness. For example, The Quran says that those who are kind and just to their slaves will receive a great reward from God (Quran 4:36).

Quran Verses and Hadith Applicability

The Quran is considered the central religious text of Islam and is believed by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered eternal and applicable to all people and ages, providing guidance for all aspects of life. However, the interpretation and application of specific verses may vary depending on the context and time period in which they are studied. For example, in the event of a war where an army attacks the enemy’s country, resulting in deaths and captives, the relevant verses of the Quran and Hadiths, such as Sahih Muslim 1744 b, still apply today. The Prophet Muhammad prohibited the killing of women and children during war, the destruction of crops, trees, and buildings, and encouraged the humane treatment of prisoners of war. These teachings were based on principles of mercy and compassion, aimed at reducing harm and suffering in times of conflict and promoting justice and respect for human life. Islam recognizes the right to self-defense and defense of one’s community against aggression and harm, but the use of force should be limited to what is necessary for self-defense and should not be used for aggression or violating the rights of others. The Quran states, “Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but do not exceed the limits. God does not love those who exceed the limits.” (2:190), permitting the use of force in self-defense while emphasizing the importance of not exceeding necessary limits and respecting the rights of others.

Prophet Muhammad and the Abolition of Slavery in Islam

The Prophet Muhammad lived in a time when slavery was prevalent in many societies around the world. To mitigate the negative effects of slavery, he and his companions began the practice of buying and freeing slaves to prevent them from falling into the hands of cruel masters. Over time, the Prophet worked to abolish the institution of slavery, and his teachings and actions helped bring an end to slavery in many Muslim-majority countries. It’s important to understand that the Prophet’s ownership of slaves should be viewed in the context of his time, and his ultimate goal was to improve the lives of slaves and end slavery. Islam elevated the status of slaves by recognizing them as equal partners in the faith and granting them rights, instead of viewing them as mere property. Islam abolished slavery in a systematic and realistic manner, unlike Europe and America, where people continued to be enslaved from Africa even centuries after slavery had been abolished in the Muslim world.

Additional Information 

According to the Quran and Hadith, slavery is not explicitly abolished in Islam. However, if slavery were to occur, as it did in pre-Islamic Arabia and other places, Muslims are commanded to follow the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, which promote the freedom and good treatment of slaves, with the ultimate goal of abolition. Islam has always opposed the slave trade, abuse, dehumanization, and racism. Since slavery is no longer in practice today, these teachings do not apply.