MARRIAGE WITH SLAVE- GIRLS (AN INTRODUCTORY)

      Slavery and slave- trade, although against the true spirit of Islam- was one of the most important trades and economical principles of the ancient world, which is fortunately now out of date. But still there are other conditions in which a man's or a woman's freedom is restricted. One such case and instance is that of the captives of war. The phrase in this verse: `Whom your right hands possess'' might also apply to the non- Muslims captives taken in a sacred war (JAHÄD) which must be under the commandership of righteous and innocent Imam. `Your right hand' does not necessarily mean that she belongs to you, or is your property, because all the captives and spoils of war belong to the community and are only yours in that sense of meaning. On the other hand there are strict rules and regulations in Islam about captives of war, as how to treat them or their ransom or being released for God.   TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

COMMENTS

VERSE NO. 25

      ``Those of you who cannot afford to marry a believing free-woman, they may wed a believing girl from among those whom your right hands possess.''

      In such a marriage you must be careful of your faith and make sure that your spouse too, be a believing girl.

      The social condition of the time was such that people avoided marrying slaves or captives knowing them contemptible and scornful; and therefore the verse implies that: ``You are from one another.'' To put it in other words, it is to say; all of you whether slave or free are of the same root and race and from the same father and mother, (Adam and Eve) and thus all the people are the branches of one tree and the leaves of one branch.

      Then the verse bids us to take permission for marrying them from their master, owner, or guardian, whoever he might be; but we are ordered to give their dowers to themselves that the slaves are the owner of their dower and whatever else they may own lawfully.

      Another condition or term of the marriage with captives or slaves is that they should be chaste and clean, and not fornicating or mixing with boy friend and taking lovers.

      Then there comes in the verse their punishment for adultery and other indecencies which is half of a free woman. Marriage with the slaves and war- captives, as the ending of the verse implies, is suitable for those who fear sinning, and cannot afford to marry a free- girl, nor to control their passion and lust. But as the marriage is supposed to be a sacred connection with the opposite sex for life, to protect the human race and kind, and also she is to be a base and structural foundation of family, it is far better for the man to keep patient until an appropriate wife with the most suitable qualifications is chosen.