(For Arabic Speakers) Question about Slave Girls
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Here are two translations (although, history shows primary source of slaves were prisoners of war - please google it - people just did not sell themselves to the highest bidder!!)
474 So, if you encounter those who have rejected, then strike their formations until you overcome them, then bind them securely. You may either set them free or ransom them, until the war ends. And had God willed, He alone could have beaten them, but He thus tests you by one another. As for those who get killed in the cause of God, He will never let their deeds be put to waste.
Now if you meet the disbelievers in battle, strike at their command centers. When you have subdued them, bind in a firm bond, and thereafter an act of kindness or ransom till the battle lays down its weapons. (Free the captives as an act of kindness or ransom, such as in exchange for your men in their captivity. There is no third option). And if Allah willed, He could indeed punish them Himself, but that He may let you humans test one by means of another (as to which nation remains vigilant). And, as for those who are slain in the Cause of Allah, He will never let their actions be lost.
The above clearly shows what to do with prisoner of wars. Their women are not to be taken as captives and given in marriage. So the possibility of Muhammad (S) marrying captives women of war should not arise. However, we find some translations as follows
3350 O PROPHET! Behold, We have made lawful to thee thy wives unto whom thou hast paid their dowers, as well as those whom thy right hand has come to possess from among the captives of war whom God has bestowed upon thee. And the daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and the daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who have migrated with thee ; and any believing woman who offers herself freely to the Prophet and whom the Prophet might be willing to wed a privilege for thee, and not for other believers - We have already made known what We have enjoined upon them with regard to their wives and those whom their right hands may possess. in order that thou be not burdened with anxiety - for God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace ?
The last translation by Assad is not a translation of the text but an interpretation. The Koran does not say that. It says
"thy right hand has come to possess from whom God has bestowed upon thee".
Thats what the text says. Its best to rely on Yusuf Ali's translation as he places those kinds of additions in brackets. Thats a Sunni interpretation and not a proper translation. Translation is supposed to translate a text as it is and not to try to interpret what a text is supposed to mean.
Captives of war in the Koran have two options and not four as Sunnis say. The issue of slavery has been addressed in the Koran when Moses accused the Pharoah of enslaving the Israelites. Why would Moses accuse the Pharoah of such a thing if there was nothing wrong with it?
26.22. "And this is the favour with which thou dost reproach me,- that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel!"
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Peace,
Zoaj or Azwaj is not an equivalent to English term wife, one can say it is closer to the term, " Couple" when used for two individuals who are bonded as a pair and sex being a definite part of the liaison.
It?s exactly the legal definition given by right to inherit.
412 and for you half what left your wives/azwjukum
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Here are two translations (although, history shows primary source of slaves were prisoners of war - please google it - people just did not sell themselves to the highest bidder!!)
We have to go in details by reading some good books on the subject rather relying on googling.
The slave population was added to by the custom of child abandonment, the kidnapping, or, occasionally, the sale of small children. Free persons were also able to sell their offspring, or even themselves, into slavery. Enslavement was also possible as a consequence of committing certain offenses against the law, as in the Roman Empire.We can classify the slaves in to Three major types
- Born as a slave
- Purchased slave
- Captive of a War
Female slaves were at times forced into prostitution for the benefit of their masters in accordance with Near Eastern customs.
That is why in another thread I was strongly advocating to JUST know Grammar, or the meaning of the Words does not allow you to unfold the actual meanings of what Quran is saying.
And I am more than happy that "Ayman" has second what I am trying to say, let us see what he says
These are all nuances of language that cannot be easily appreciated by a non-native speaker. Yes a non-native can learn the grammar but unless they become fluent speakers and immersed in the linguistic culture it is hard to know that saying something, although grammatically correct, would sound disrespectful.....
ma malakat aymanukum ("that which your right hands own"
Any one who is familiar with Arabs and their culture will not have to run for different meanings Just to appease some Western "good hearten people". Slaves were then a reality and Quran deals with it at different occasions. -
We have to go in details by reading some good books on the subject rather relying on googling.
The slave population was added to by the custom of child abandonment, the kidnapping, or, occasionally, the sale of small children. Free persons were also able to sell their offspring, or even themselves, into slavery. Enslavement was also possible as a consequence of committing certain offenses against the law, as in the Roman Empire.We can classify the slaves in to Three major types
- Born as a slave
- Purchased slave
- Captive of a War
Female slaves were at times forced into prostitution for the benefit of their masters in accordance with Near Eastern customs.
That is why in another thread I was strongly advocating to JUST know Grammar, or the meaning of the Words does not allow you to unfold the actual meanings of what Quran is saying.
And I am more than happy that "Ayman" has second what I am trying to say, let us see what he says
ma malakat aymanukum ("that which your right hands own"
Any one who is familiar with Arabs and their culture will not have to run for different meanings Just to appease some Western "good hearten people". Slaves were then a reality and Quran deals with it at different occasions.The Koran already talked about prisoners of war in more than on place.
76.8. And they feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,- (Saying),"We feed you for the sake of God alone no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.
9.6 If an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God, and then convey him to safety. For the idolaters are ignorant men.
8.70 O Messenger. say to those who are captives in your hands "If God findeth any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
47.4 Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them) thereafter either generosity or ransom Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded) but if it had been God's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them ; but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of God,- He will never let their deeds be lost.
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Peace,
It?s exactly the legal definition given by right to inherit.
412 and for you half what left your wives/azwjukum
SEid peace,
6143 (Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair; say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful
By no means i am saying that a " wife" is not a Zoaaj, She is definitely a one, but what i am saying is that The Arabic word Zoaj encompasses a much broader meaning, like , couple, mate, pair etc, with sex as a linking connection.
Moreover, this sexual connection is between two willing individuals on equivalent terms, where as sexual bonding with Ma MAlakat emnakum is not on equal terms and also, they may not be a willing party for sex. That is why they cannot be covered with the term zoaj or azwaaj.
siki
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We have to go in details by reading some good books on the subject rather relying on googling.
The slave population was added to by the custom of child abandonment, the kidnapping, or, occasionally, the sale of small children. Free persons were also able to sell their offspring, or even themselves, into slavery. Enslavement was also possible as a consequence of committing certain offenses against the law, as in the Roman Empire.We can classify the slaves in to Three major types
- Born as a slave
- Purchased slave
- Captive of a War
Female slaves were at times forced into prostitution for the benefit of their masters in accordance with Near Eastern customs.
That is why in another thread I was strongly advocating to JUST know Grammar, or the meaning of the Words does not allow you to unfold the actual meanings of what Quran is saying.
And I am more than happy that "Ayman" has second what I am trying to say, let us see what he says
ma malakat aymanukum ("that which your right hands own"
Any one who is familiar with Arabs and their culture will not have to run for different meanings Just to appease some Western "good hearten people". Slaves were then a reality and Quran deals with it at different occasions.We are talking about Koran and not some Western stuff. The West's history in slavery is well known anyways. Slavery is banned for believers in the Koran. If it was a reality well so was paganism. The Koran speaks abundantly about freeing slaves. So how can you say it allowed believers to own slaves? Thats like saying the Koran orders the believers to feed the poor yet also sees no wrong with starving them. Thats called a contradiction. It is clear from the story of Moses and the Pharoah that slavery was one of the characters of the Pharoah the Koran refered to when it called him a tyrant.
Captives of war are prisoners. So are you telling me that captives should be enslaved? And why would the Koran order the believers to feed the prisoners when it allows you to enslave them? Utter contradiction.