Dubai Forums Dubai Discussions Dubai Politics Talk Philosophy and Religion Forums

I am not sure if this was discussed here before or not , but I though this article should be shared among other members (muslims, non muslims both).

I could post the link here, but I thought of cut and paste in this case serves better:
http://www.islamiccenterofirvine.com/ar ... show&id=42


Question:
Muslims proudly consider Islam as a liberating religion that has enhanced the status of women, yet there is clear evidence that the Qur'anic text supports the concept of the man's domination over women by explicitly permitting men to have concubines. In chapter 23 verses 5 to 8 of the Qur'an, Muslim men are given permission to have sexual relations with women who are under their domination ("those whom your right hand possess") even outside wedlock. I find this both demeaning to women and highly immoral.

There are three issues that need to be addressed here :

1. What is concubinage ?
2. What is the difference between a "concubine" and "those whom your right hand Possess" ?
3. Does Islam promote concubinage ?

Concubinage

Concubinage is the practice of cohabiting with a woman without the authority of legal marriage. A concubine is thus a woman with whom a man has sexual relations without legal obligations that flow from marriage and she thus has no real recourse to the law for protecting her rights in that relationship.

It was a custom of war to have captives or prisoners of war turned into slaves and this was indeed a common practice, whether in ancient Rome, pre-Islamic Arabia or elsewhere. Women were specifically subjected to all kinds of injustices and abuse; considered as mere commodities to be bought and sold and were often the victims of sexual abuse - as is still often the case in wartime situations (such as we have recently witnessed in Bosnia, Kosova, Kashmir...)

The reality of war and need of the times

History bears testimony to the ruin of those who indulged in immorality. The guarding of chastity is therefore considered a most sacred private and public duty in Islam.

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came, he tried to put an end to all such inhumane practices and left no stone unturned in his quest to let women have their rights and dignity restored. This is clearly manifest in the way Islam handled the issue of the barbaric slavery system. Yet, it needed to be done gradually, as the case with all bad practices that have gained ground, in order to affect real social change.

Islam confined the issue of taking captives to the period of warfare; as a situation necessitated by hostility between warring peoples. Then it allowed the female captives to be married by their captors. Does this imply giving men carte blanche to unleash their sexual desires or to sexually brutalize those captives? Not at all! Here lies certain wisdom that completely escapes the mind of those who take this issue to launch attacks against Islam. After cessation of hostility, it's the norm that prisoners of war be freed and exchanged through mutual agreement between the parties. Islam has made this clear in its divine texts that the captives must be freed, through ransom or without ransom. It is also socially understood that marrying freed female captives, would normally secure their rights more than would be the case if they were set free without any guarantee for survival or for preserving their dignity.

Thus, Islam gave them hope of survival, trying to prevent their becoming victims of a hostile or foreign community. In fact, they would have definitely found it hard to find suitors, even among their free male counterparts, who'd suspect them of being ravished by their captors. Grim as it may seem initially, this secured them a marital home, whereby their rights and dignity would be secured.

Why the term "Whom the right hand possess"

Here comes the issue of "ma malakat aimanukum" (what your right hand possesses) mentioned in verses in the Qur'an, like the following:

If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hand possesses: And God Hath full knowledge about your faith. You are one from another: Wed them with the leave of their possessors, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable...
Surah 4, Verse 25

This opened the door for female slaves or captives to be married by poor Muslims who could not afford the dowry of free women as well ensured the security of the female captive in this foreign environment. It is also significant to note the expression that the Qur'an uses "what your right hand possesses." when referring to these female captives. Islam put an end to the despicable habit of using derogatory names of "slaves" or "servants". For in Islam, a person must not show servitude to anyone besides Allah the Almighty.

The word "whom your right hands possess" here refers to women taken as prisoners of war and is by no means an implication of concubinage, for concubinage is totally prohibited in Islam. Nor does it refer to purchasing female slaves from market to be used to satisfy sexual urges. It's during warfare that the right hand actually takes possession of captives, and this is what the Qur'an means.

The word, "right hands possess" also has another significance that clearly reflects the great concern Islam has for preserving the rights of those captives. As we know, the right hand has its special merit and privileged functions that a person instinctively reserves for it. Imam Qurtubi, in his commentary on this verse, says: "Allah Almighty uses the word 'right hand' here for it denotes great honor and respect. It suffices that it's the term used when referring to the virtues of spending as mentioned in the the saying of the Prophet (pbuh)... 'he who provides charity (seeking only Allah's reward) in a way that his left hand does not know what his right hand spends...". It is the very hand used in greeting, eating, taking oath and in making a pledge of allegiance. Those who have earned the reward of Alah are referred to in the Qur'an as "people of the right hand" (Q90: 18).

All this indicates that the word "whom your right hand possess" has a special meaning in Islamic usage. In fact, it signifies the great care and good treatment that captives or prisoners of wars should be accorded. This is how Islam dealt with the issue from the outset. Islam has also checked what was an international custom during that era; i.e. the custom of having illicit relations with female captives. Islam stipulated that if the female slave/captive got pregnant from her master, she would automatically gain her freedom and so would her child, for he'd be born free. This was Islam's deliberate approach towards eliminating a diabolical habit! So it was not a means of unleashing sexual desires; otherwise, being pregnant, would have aided the captive woman nothing, for she'd remain the property of her master under all circumstances. Islam was certainly not intending to condone such a nefarious goal.

The only difference between those whom your right hand possess and ordinary married woman is that a person cannot marry a married woman, but a prisoner of war (or one previously enslaved), could marry the one who is in charge of her; if she so wishes, despite the fact that she may have been married prior to becoming a captive. The choice remains hers and there should be no coercion of duress on her.

Slavery of the captured was a social ailment that needed to be addressed. So Islam laid down a gradual strategy, not only to eradicate slavery, but also to find avenues to free those in bondage and give them a complete social rehabilitation. First of all, Islam stipulated that all masters should take care of their captives; they should not be overburdened with tasks, not should they be deprived of their human rights. The Prophet (pbuh) made this clear in his injunction that masters should treat those under their authority as their brothers and female captives as their sisters, if not in faith, at least in humanity. He said:

"Your servants are thy brethren. Allah has put them under your authority. He could, if He willed, make you under their control. Thus, whoever has his brother under his control, let him feed him of his same food and dress him of his same dress. Never saddle them with work that goes beyond their capability. If the work happens to be somewhat difficult, lend them a helping hand."

Clarifying Chapters 23 verses 5-8

In chapter 23 verses 5 to 8 as well as in chapter 4 verse 25 of the holy Qur'an, the term malakat aymanuhum (those whom the right hand possess) has often been misconstrued to imply that Muslim males could force themselves upon their female prisoners of war. It must be clarified that sexual relations with a female prisoner of war without marrying her, is not at all supported in the Qur'an nor by this specific verse. Reference here is to sexual relationships with those to whom a man is married legally, since sexual relations outside wedlock is totally forbidden. The emphasis or distinction of malakat aymanuhum (those whom your right hand possess) is to indicate that besides marrying amongst the nobility; marry even those who are under your protection (right hand) rather than to indulge in debauchery. This fact is evident from numerous verses in the Qur'an including (4:26) (4:4) (2:222) (24:33). The holy Prophet (pbuh) explicitly states in an authentic tradition:

"A person who has a captive girl and gives her proper education, rears her with dignity, frees her and marries her, for him there is double reward."
(Bukhari).


Now having said above, how do you relate it to what is being practised in islamic world like in rich arab states where they actually import maids from indonesia and subject them to both slavery and Concubinage. I mean are we back to pre islamic era?

So:

What is your view, and what do you recommend to solve this issue?

Cheers

daniyaal wrote:

Now having said above, how do you relate it to what is being practised in islamic world like in rich arab states where they actually import maids from indonesia and subject them to both slavery and Concubinage. I mean are we back to pre islamic era?

So:

What is your view, and what do you recommend to solve this issue?

Cheers

Q. Are we back to the pre-Islamic practices?

A. Yes. The people who are drinking, keeping concubines and mistresses and flouting other requirements of Islam have reverted to pre-Islamic practices.

Q. How to solve this?

A. The answer is simple. Follow the teachings of Islam.

Wasalaam,
Shafique