Islam, Slavery and the Question of Concubines: A Qur’anic Analysis

 Introduction: A Serious Objection Against Islam

This article addresses a serious objection raised against the Holy Qur’an ,  often repeated in the context of recent global events. The objection is that the Qur’an permits sexual relations with slave women (concubines) without marriage. This claim is usually based on Surah al-Nisa ,  verse 24. The purpose here is to examine this objection in detail ,  clarify the reality and present the true teachings of the Qur’an.

Historical Background of Slavery and Islam’s Revolutionary Declaration

Before analysing the issue ,  it is important to understand the state of slavery before Islam. In Roman ,  Greek and Egyptian civilisations ,  as well as elsewhere ,  enslaving human beings was a norm. The treatment of slaves was often worse than that of animals. For example ,  in Rome ,  slaves were thrown to hungry lions for entertainment. Slavery was so normalised that it was not even considered an evil.

When Islam appeared ,  it made a revolutionary proclamation of human dignity. The Qur’an declared in Surah al-Isra (17:70): "وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ" (And We have honoured the children of Adam). Islam taught that all human beings are created from a single soul and that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab ,  nor a white over a black. All are equal as human beings.

Still ,  slavery was deeply rooted in the economic and social system of that time.

 Islam’s Strategy to End Slavery

A common question is why Islam did not abolish slavery instantly ,  as it prohibited alcohol. The reason lies in the practical realities of that time. If slavery had been abolished overnight ,  millions of slaves ,  including the elderly ,  disabled and women ,  would have been left homeless and without means of survival. Social issues cannot be solved by theory alone.

Islam ,  therefore ,  adopted a gradual ,  comprehensive and realistic strategy.

Qur’anic steps included:

·         The Concept of Piety (Birr): Surah al-Baqarah 2:177 stresses that real righteousness includes: "...وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ... وَفِي الرِّقَابِ" (spending wealth out of love for God... to free slaves).

·         Expiation for Sins: Many acts of penance required freeing slaves. For example:

o    Breaking an oath (Surah al-Ma’idah 5:89).

o    Zihar (Surah al-Mujadila 58:3).

o    Accidental killing (Surah al-Nisa 4:92).

·         The Institution of Mukatabat (Contract of Freedom): Surah al-Nur (24:33) obligated masters to accept a contract if a slave sought freedom by paying an agreed sum.

·         Use of Zakat: Surah al-Tawbah (9:60) explicitly lists freeing slaves (في الرقاب) as one of the eight categories of zakat spending.

 

 Ending the Sources of Slavery: The Case of Prisoners of War

Islam prohibited all other forms of slavery ,  such as debt slavery ,  punishment slavery ,  or selling children. The only remaining source was prisoners of war. Even here ,  the Qur’an gave a decisive ruling in Surah Muhammad (47:4): "فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً" (set them free either by grace or by ransom).

This permanently closed the door to enslaving prisoners of war. The Prophet’s treatment of captives at Badr confirmed this. Some were freed with ransom ,  others by teaching Muslim children.

The Main Objection: Meaning of "ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ"

The objection centres on Surah al-Nisa (4:24) and the phrase "مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ". Critics argue it permits sexual relations with female captives without marriage. Traditional commentaries also sometimes took this view ,  which contradicts the Qur’an’s principles.

Linguistic clarification:

·         مَلَكَتْ: possession ,  rightful authority.

·         أَيْمَانُكُمْ: your right hands ,  meaning legitimate authority or contract ,  not physical force.

In the Qur’an ,  "يمین" is used positively ,  for example:

·         Receiving one’s record in the right hand (Surah al-Haqqah 69:19).

·         God’s power described with "بِيَمِينِهِ" (Surah al-Zumar 39:67).

Thus ,  "ما ملکت ایمانکم" means those under your lawful authority ,  not coerced captives.

Correct interpretation of Surah al-Nisa 4:24:
This verse refers not to concubines but to believing women who migrated to Medina ,  leaving their non-Muslim husbands behind. Their previous marriage was annulled and the Qur’an permitted Muslims to marry them. Surah al-Mumtahina (60:10) clarifies this context.

Surah al-Mu’minun and Surah al-Ma’arij

Verses describing the believers as guarding their chastity "إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ" (except with their spouses or those under their lawful authority) also refer to valid marriage ,  not casual relations.

The Qur’an mentions both “wives” and “those under authority” separately to highlight that marriages with freedwomen and marriages with former slave women are equally valid and respectable.

Muhammad Asad also supported this interpretation ,  stating that assuming permission for sexual use of female slaves without marriage is a misreading.

The Prophet ﷺ as a Practical Example

The Prophet ﷺ never kept a concubine. Whenever he married a woman who had previously been enslaved ,  he first freed her and then married her ,  granting her full dignity.

Historical Shortcomings of Muslims

After the Rashidun Caliphate ,  monarchies ignored this Qur’anic mission. Muslim rulers filled their palaces with slaves and concubines and practices like castration of men for service emerged. Sadly ,  some Muslim-majority countries were among the last to abolish slavery officially ,  such as Mauritania in the 1980s.

Modern-Day Slavery and the Qur’an’s Guidance

Although traditional slavery ended ,  new forms exist today:

·         Forced labour: 25 million people.

·         Forced marriage: 15.4 million.

·         Sexual exploitation: 4.8 million.

The Qur’an’s concept of "تحریر رقبہ" (freeing the necks) is universal. It refers not only to physical slavery but also to breaking chains of exploitation ,  debt and trafficking.

Conclusion: A Call for Renewal

Islam strictly forbids any sexual relation outside marriage. The objection against the Qur’an arises from misunderstanding and from historical failures of Muslims.

There is a need for scholars today to rise above past interpretations ,  respect tradition ,  but avoid treating human commentaries as sacred. As Allama Iqbal wrote:

تیرے وجود پہ جب تک نہ ہو نزولِ کتاب
گرہ کشا ہے نہ رازی، نہ صاحبِ کشّاف

The Qur’an’s message is eternal. It must be studied directly and applied to address today’s challenges ,  including modern slavery and social injustices.