All Doors of Advancement were Open to Freed Slaves — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2

Introduction

In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding All Doors of Advancement were Open to Freed Slaves.

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: V – Conduct of the Holy Prophet (sa) with Slaves and His Teachings on the Issue of Slavery
Pages: Book pp. 202–204 (PDF pp. 226–228)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [How Did the Muslims Act upon the Teaching of the Manumission of Slaves] | Next: [Why Were All Slaves Not Freed at Once?] »

Historical Account

It has already been mentioned that slaves were granted freedom after the assurance that they were capable of manumission as far as their morals, habits and ability to earn a living was concerned. Now we wish to mention that those slaves, who were freed, did in fact become beneficial citizens and were considered just as honourable and respectful in the Islāmic society as other people. As a matter of fact, it was a practice of the Holy Prophetsa that for the purpose of reforming the ancient views of people, he would be even more mindful of the dignity and honour of slaves and freed slaves than others. Therefore, on many occasions, the Holy Prophetsa appointed his freed slave Zaid bin Ḥārithahra and his son Usāmahra as the commander of many military campaigns. Many highly respected and prominant Companions were appointed under them and when ignorant people objected to this action of the Holy Prophetsa, due to their ancient views, he responded:

اَنْ تَطْ عُنُوْا فِیْ اِمَارَتِهٖ فَقَدْ كُنْتُمْ تَطْ عُنُوْنَ فِیْ اِمَارَةِ اَبِیْهِ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَاَیْمُ اللّٰهِ اِنْ كَانَ لَخَ لِیْقًا

لِلْاِمَارَةِ وَاِنْ كَانَ لَمِنْ اَحَ بِّ النَّاسِ اِلیَّ وَاِنَّ ھٰذَا لَمِنْ اَحَ بِّ النَّاسِ اِلَیَّ بَعْدَهٗ

Meaning, “You have objected to the appointment of Usāmahra as a commander and prior to this you have also objected to the leadership of his father Zaidra. By God! Just as Zaidra was worthy and capable of leadership and was among my most beloved, so too, Usāmahra is worthy of leadership and among my most beloved.”

[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Faḍā’ili Aṣḥābin-Nabiyyisa, Bābu Manāqibi Zaid bin Ḥārithah….., Ḥadīth No. 3730]

Then, what could be greater than the fact that the Holy Prophetsa wed the daughter of his biological paternal aunt, Zainab bint Jaḥashra to Zaid bin Ḥārithahra. It is a strange miracle that in the entire Holy Qur’ān, if any Companion has been mentioned by name, it is this very Zaid bin Ḥārithahra. Then, there were many freed slaves who attained a lofty rank in their knowledge and wisdom. As such, Sālim bin Ma‘qalra, the freed slave of Abū Ḥudhaifahra, was considered to be one of the most distinct scholars from among the Companions. Moreover, Sālimra was also from among the four Companions who were appointed by the Holy Prophetsa to teach the Holy Qur’ān. Then, as far as honour and respect due to virtue and purity was concerned, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra would often say with regards to Bilālra that he was their chief. Then, even after the Companions, various freed slaves attained a very high status in the Islāmic society. As such, ‘Aṭā’ bin Abī Rabāḥ, Mujāhid bin Jubair, Nāfi‘ the freed slave of Ibni ‘Umarra and Mūsā bin ‘Uqbahra, are considered to be among the most revered among the Tābi‘īn, before whom very illustrious people would humbly sit as pupils.

[Al-Aḥzāb (33:38)]

[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Faḍā’ili Aṣḥābin-Nabiyyisa, Bābu Manāqibi Sālimin Maulā Abī Hudhaifah, Ḥadīth No. 3758]

[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Faḍā’ili Aṣḥābin-Nabiyyisa, Bābu Manāqibi Bilālubnu Rabāḥ, Ḥadīth No. 3754]

[Tahzībut-Tahzīb, By Al-Imām Shihābuddīn Abul-Faḍl Aḥmad bin Ḥajar Al-‘Asqalānī]

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Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: V – Conduct of the Holy Prophet (sa) with Slaves and His Teachings on the Issue of Slavery | Navigation: « Previous: [How Did the Muslims Act upon the Teaching of the Manumission of Slaves] | Next: [Why Were All Slaves Not Freed at Once?] »