Throughout history, different religions have viewed slavery in different ways; some are pro-slavery and others are anti-slavery. This post helps explain the different ways the Christian and Islamic religions view slavery. Both religions have text that is for and against slavery. In our existence, there are documented demonstrations of why slavery should not occur. Two of these sources are the Bible and Qur’an.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism
The Bible explains that there are no slaves in life, only free people. In the book of Galatians, it states “there is neither slave nor free person, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-29) (biblegateway.com). This shows that the Bible does not support slavery in any race or gender and sees all people as free. In the book of Leviticus, in the bible, it explains that no matter what economic status a person is they should never be a slave, “If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave” (Leviticus 25:39) (biblegateway.com). All of the textual evidence above proves that slavery is not approved in the Bible.
After exploring the Qur'an, I found few examples of it against slavery. It explains that slaves can have higher status. However, Islamic culture enforced strict punishment for the mistreatment of slaves (BBC.co/UK). This is a quote from the Qur’an that proves it does not support slavery: “Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom”(Qur’an, 5:89)(fristthings.com). This quote explains that everyone should have freedom and basic rights in their life.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/biblical-slavery/
Since early civilization, slavery has been an infrastructure of ancient societies, which can be learned by observing the texts of the Christian Bible and the Qur’an, two traditional religions that have been practiced for thousands of years and continue to be today. While neither Christianity nor Islam directly condones slavery, it is a part of ancient culture and addressed in their texts, even going to the extent as to giving permission to early Christians to buy slaves: “As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you” (Leviticus 25:44) (biblegateway.com). While this passage does not directly encourage slavery, it approves of it and accepts it as a part of ancient culture. Although slavery is allowed, the masters are expected to “treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven”(Colossians 4:1) (gatewaybible.com).
https://mvslim.com/5-tips-on-how-to-complete-the-quran-in-30-days/
Because slavery was a part of a functioning economy in the ancient world, its commonality required clarification from the religious text on the treatment of slaves, even though it does not explicitly condone it. The Qur’an is much more explicit with how it views slavery, encouraging men to have sex with their slave-girls. “And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you” (Qur’an, 4:24)(firstthings.com). While slavery was allowed an unquestionable aspect of Islamic culture, the freeing of slaves was not looked down upon and even viewed as commendable when a slave was freed. However, there is a paradox in the issue of slavery in Islam as Muhammed, the prophet of Islam and proclaimer of the Qur'an, (brittanica.com) profited from all aspects of the slave-trading business. Even though Muslim law only condemned slavery due to force from the British government in the 20th century, the Qur’an never explicitly condones it. While both ancient Christianity and Islam never condone slavery, both texts acknowledge it as a practice that contributed to keeping the economy flowing in the ancient world, and addressed how its followers should handle it.
https://www.loc.gov/item/rbpe.13700400/
Over time, slavery has been abolished and deemed culturally unacceptable by Christians and the majority of Muslims. Even though Christians have used the Bible to promote slavery, specifically from the period of European colonization in the Americas until the abolition of slavery in the United States, the biblical argument against slavery heavily influenced the abolitionist movement and contributed to the end of slavery in the United States. Unfortunately, while the majority of Muslims today are anti-slavery (brandeis.edu), specifically in western culture, Mauritania and Sudan, both Muslim countries, openly practice slavery (firstthings.com). The majority of those enslaved are Christian or non-Muslims, which is justified by the Qur’an as unbelievers are referred to as the “worst of created beings” (Qur’an, 98:6)(fristthings.com). Even though both religions have drastically changed their stance on slavery, there is skepticism on both text’s positions on slavery as culture continues to evolve.
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/520643348411711488
Hence the Bible and the Qur’an both have textual evidence that supports and argues against slavery. The Bible seems to be more level with support for supporting and not supporting slavery. However, the Qur’an supports slavery more than the Bible. The Qur’an, however, gives more freedom and treats them with more kindness than in the Bible. However, both textual pieces have demonstrated the beliefs for commending slavery and abolishing slavery.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_1.shtml
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_1.shtml
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2008/02/slavery-christianity-and-islam
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