Islam, Slavery, and Racism The Use of Strategy in the Pursuit of Human Rights

Abstract

Slavery is one of the most controversial and arresting topics in human
history. The question of Islam in relation to slavery has been an issue of concern
among scholars for a long time. It became a question in which many
Orientalists found a convenient gap to pass through in their attacks against the
system of governance and justice in Islam. This self-righteous criticism
against the attitude of Islam towards slavery is part of a long Western tradition
of scholarship based on stereotyping, overstating, and selectivity of Islam in
particular and the Orient in general. Most of the time, the statements of these
scholars are presented in a sugar-coated style of language that is more
dangerous than if they were presented in a critical, open, and direct language.
Thomas Carlyle, Renan, Goldziher, Macdonald, von Grunebaum, Gibb and
Bernard Lewis are good examples and representatives of this traditi0n.l
The aim of this article is to use ijtihad, or informed intellectual effort, to
show through textual and historical evidence that Islam, in its battle for
justice, which is identical to human rights, fought against slavery and initiated
a humane and practical plan for its abolition. Only deviation from Islam
prevented elimination of slavery within the first few decades of Islam. In
Arabia itself within forty years, except for temporary prisoners of war,
slavery had disappeared.
We shall begin with a brief historical survey of the institution of slavery
before Islam. The body of this article will concentrate on discussion and
analysis of some related texts from the Qufan and the Hadith as well as some
historical data that reflect the practical attitude of devoted Muslims towards
slavery and slaves. The attitude of Islam towards race, color, and slavery in
the context of the trans-Saharan slave trade are two issues that this paper will
deal with since they have a direct bearing on the question of slavery in Islam ...