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Did Islam permit slavery?

Short answerSlavery was a worldwide institution before Islam. Islam did not originate it; it restricted its sources, made freeing slaves one of the greatest acts of worship, opened many routes to freedom and commanded kind treatment. It also forbade enslaving free people outside of war. Today slavery is outlawed in international and Muslim-country laws.

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Encouraging freedom

Quran
فَلَا ٱقۡتَحَمَ ٱلۡعَقَبَةَ وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡعَقَبَةُ فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ

Al-Balad 90:11–13

Islam made freeing a slave the expiation for accidental killing, for zihar, for breaking an oath and for deliberately breaking the Ramadan fast. It encouraged contracts of manumission and told believers to help the one buying his freedom.

Treatment

Hadith
إِخْوَانُكُمْ خَوَلُكُمْ، جَعَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ تَحْتَ أَيْدِيكُمْ، فَأَطْعِمُوهُمْ مِمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ، وَأَلْبِسُوهُمْ مِمَّا تَلْبَسُونَ

They are your brothers, whom Allah has placed under your authority. So feed them from what you eat and clothe them from what you wear.

The Prophet ﷺ · Al-Bukhari, Muslim

Bilal ibn Rabah, Zayd ibn Harithah and Usamah ibn Zayd were freed slaves who reached high standing in the Muslim community.

Frequently asked questions

Is slavery permitted today?

No. It has been abolished in Muslim countries, and Muslim scholars hold that what is called human trafficking today is forbidden.

Quran text and translations: QuranEnc. Hadith translations: HadeethEnc. Sources are shown on each item. Found a mistake? Tell us.