Slavery and Islam

Synopsis

What happens when authorities you venerate condone something you know is wrong?

Every major religion and philosophy once condoned or approved of slavery, but in modern times nothing is seen as more evil. Americans confront this crisis of authority when they erect statues of Founding Fathers who slept with their slaves. And Muslims faced it when ISIS revived sex slavery, justifying it with verses from the Quran and the practice of Muhammad.

Exploring the moral and ultimately theological problem of slavery, Jonathan A.C. Brown traces how the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions have tried to reconcile modern moral certainties with the infallibility of God's message. He lays out how Islam viewed slavery in theory, and the reality of how it was practiced across Islamic civilization. Finally, Brown carefully examines arguments put forward by Muslims for the abolition of slavery.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Origins of Slavery in Islam

* Overview of slavery in pre-Islamic Arabia
* Islamic teachings on slavery and the sources of its legitimacy
* Historical context of slavery's role in Islamic societies
* Real example: The enslavement of African captives during the Muslim conquest of North Africa

Chapter 2: The Legal Status of Slaves

* Rights and obligations of slaves under Islamic law
* Protections against abuse and exploitation
* Comparison of slave laws with other legal systems
* Real example: The case of Bilal ibn Rabah, an enslaved Ethiopian who became a respected Muslim leader

Chapter 3: The Economics of Slavery

* The role of slavery in Islamic society
* Slave labor in agriculture, trade, and other industries
* Economic benefits and costs of slavery
* Real example: The use of enslaved labor in the construction of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus

Chapter 4: Slavery and Social Hierarchy

* The social status of slaves in Islamic societies
* Restrictions on social interaction between slaves and free people
* The impact of slavery on family and community
* Real example: The widespread use of female slaves in harems

Chapter 5: The Abolition Movement

* Historical origins of the abolitionist movement in Islam
* Arguments against slavery based on Islamic principles
* Efforts to abolish or reform slavery in Islamic societies
* Real example: The British campaign against slavery in the Ottoman Empire

Chapter 6: Slavery in the Modern World

* The legacy of slavery in Muslim-majority countries
* Contemporary forms of slavery, such as human trafficking and forced labor
* International efforts to combat slavery
* Real example: The case of Mauritania, a country that officially abolished slavery but still faces challenges related to it

Chapter 7: Slavery and the Future of Islam

* Islamic perspectives on the future of slavery
* The role of religious dialogue and education in promoting abolition
* The importance of addressing the root causes of slavery
* Real example: The efforts of Muslim scholars and activists to promote anti-slavery initiatives