Why Islam?
By: Faten Sabri
1. I. Preface
Due to my travel to various countries, I learned many languages, and I was able to interact with different cultures and religions. As a result, I found out how others are in fact very similar to us, and that we are all combined by humanity and by our similarities. We all have the same issues, aspirations, challenges and we all want the same things for ourselves and for our children. I found that we have the same Creator, the same source of existence and that all our religious differences are about the intermediaries between the human being and His Creator, so when we all pray direct to the Creator without intermediary, we will get united, then all the cultural, traditional and political barriers will be removed, then we would have peace. These experiences gave me the ambition to know more about the religion of Islam and other religions, as I had always a very important question in my mind, which is: Why Islam is the true religion? So, I dedicated all my time and effort into learning the best way to present Islam for different people and different backgrounds.
This book intended to introduce people to the Religion of Islam. It is an attempt to demonstrate to all truth-seekers and open-minded people that what was sent by God to all nations through all messengers throughout history is one unique message (i.e. Pure Monotheism). All God’s pious messengers endeavored to guide their people to the truth. But many people chose to follow their interpretations and thus went far from the prophetic teachings. This book is to showcase the uniqueness of Islam, its resilience and strength which defies all negative propaganda and withstands all attacks.
I pray to God (Allah)[1] that this book will be beneficial and a source of guidance and blessing, in this life and in the hereafter.
2. II. Introduction
Ever since Man appeared on earth - from the time of Adam[2]- the Creator appointed the most righteous person in a particular society as a prophet to guide mankind towards Truth with ultimate goal of reaching Him. Throughout history, He would send a prophet whenever people slipped into moral decline and aimless lives; after an earlier prophets' message became corrupted and adulterated.
All Prophets carried the same message to all nations. A simple straightforward message as the condition of salvation: Belief in One God (the Creator) and unifying Him in worship. Every Prophet was the way for his followers in his time to get the salvation, and that was by following his teachings; worshiping like the Prophet does, not worshipping the Prophet himself or any other intermediary (idol, saint, priest, etc.), as it is the right of the Creator to be worshipped alone and the right of the human being to have direct connection with His Creator. This is the message of Islam which started with Prophet Adam and was completed with Prophet Muhammad.
".., this day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion,.."(Qur'an 5:3)
The teachings of Islam include:
Ø Performing the ritualistic prayers to keep the connection with the Creator.
Ø Fasting the month of Ramadan to developing better self-control and appreciate God’s blessings.
Ø Giving a certain specific percentage of certain types of a person saved annually wealth, reaching to the poor people to keep economic balance in society, purify the wealth, and revive the economy.
Ø Performing the pilgrimage to Mecca[3]once in a lifetime to symbolize the unity of all believers regardless of their classes, backgrounds, cultures, or languages.
Islam involves belief in all the messengers of God who were sent to different people in different eras without differentiating between any of them. Denial of one of God’s prophets violates Islam. This establishes a very strong common bond with people of other faiths.
"The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in God (The Creator) and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], we make no distinction between any of His messengers. And they say, we hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." (Qur’an2:285)
While many of the prophets and messengers that God has sent to different nations are mentioned by name in the Qur'an (i.e. Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, David, Solomon, Ismail, Isaac, Joseph, etc.), others are not mentioned. Therefore, the possibility that other famous religious teachers such as the Hindu Lords Rama, Krishna, and Gautama Buddha were prophets of God cannot be out rightly negated.
"And We have already sent messengers before you [Muhammad]. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you. And it was not for any messenger to bring a sign [or verse] except by permission of God. So, when the command of God comes, it will be concluded in truth, and the falsifiers will thereupon lose [all]." (Qur'an 40:78)
Islam preserves human values, human dignity, and teaches us that people are equal in rights and duties. It calls to peace and justice through comprehensive security, social solidarity, good-neighborliness, preservation of money and property, and the fulfillment of covenants and other principles. This is another common denominator with the followers of other religions and shows that the origin of the divine religions is one.
Islam emphasizes that the approach to call others to God should be through a gentle respectful approach.
"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided." (Qur’an 16: 125)
And it rejects rancor and violence in guidance and expression.
"O by mercy from God, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So, pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon God. Indeed, God loves those who rely [upon Him]." (Qur’an 3:159)
Islam’s ultimate goal is to spread mercy and lead all people to the righteous path.
"And We[4]have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." (Qur’an 21:107)
Islam enjoins people to respect covenants and to avoid prohibitions, treachery and betrayal.
"O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, God ordains what He intends."(Qur’an 5:1)
"And fulfill the covenant of God when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made God, over you, a witness. Indeed, God knows what you do." (Qur’an 16:91)
Islam values life. Fighting non-combatants is not allowed. Their properties, children and women should be protected.
"God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly. God only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers. "(Qur’an 60:8-9)
"…., whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely."(Qur’an 5:32)
Islam rules all aspects of human behavior, and builds strong nations and great civilizations. Throughout its history, Islam has established the foundation for science and provided thought leadership. Islam encouraged the participation of non-Muslims in its achievements and thus scored a record in tolerance and respect for humanity. [5]
The relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is based on justice and peace.
"Fight in the way of God those who fight against you, but do not aggress. God does not love the aggressors." (Qur’an 2:190)
The real Muslim denounces the contemporary concept of terrorism, as represented in aggression against the rules of God and intimidation of civilians, the wounded, prisoners, and the use of immoral means to destroy the cities and civilizations.
" Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason. " (Qur’an 6:151)
As you will see from what follows, Islam builds a strong system of morality, purifies the soul from self-seeking egotism, oppression, and indiscipline, and calls to gentleness, friendliness, generosity, mercy, compassion and peace, towards all creation in all situations. It creates God-conscious human beings, devoted to their ideals, possessed of piety, uncompromising with falsehood and evil; human beings who construct the Earth and benefit its peoples.
3. III. Why Islam advances despite adverse propaganda from the mass media
Ever since the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad, he and his religion have been under constant attack and have been subject to major distortions. However, Islam has not only survived these attacks, but continues to expand rapidly even in places where it is under the fiercest assault. The appeal of Islam is due to several unique characteristics:
- Islam has retained the genuine concept of the Oneness of God
No intermediaries between Man and the Creator in Islam. God is the One and the Only. Islam preserved the concept of Oneness of God devoid of any convoluted philosophy or complexity.
"He is Allah, the One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. Nor is there to Him any equivalent."(Qur’an 112)
"God (the Creator): there is no true god but him. The ever-living, the eternal master of all. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes him. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with him, except by his permission? He knows all that lies open before them and all that lies hidden from them; whereas they cannot attain to anything of his knowledge save as he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire him. He is the Most high, the Most great." (Qur’an 2:255)
- Islam has the only true preserved scripture – the unadulterated Word of God
The full text of the Qur’an is available in the exact form as conveyed by Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad at the time of its revelation and in the original language in which it was revealed. It is unique in that it has been preserved by God. There is only one version of the Qur'an in the world.
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Qur’an 15:9)
- Islam corroborates God’s previous revelations and honors His messengers and prophets
Muslims believe in all the earlier revelations of God (the scriptures of Abraham, the book of David, the Torah, The Gospel, etc.). Muslims believe that the original message in all the sacred books is Pure Monotheism (Unifying God in worship). Unlike the Divine scriptures that preceded, the Qur’an has not been kept in the hands of any particular group or clergymen of Muslims which could have led to its misinterpretation or alteration. On the contrary, the Qur’an has always been within the reach of all Muslims who recite it in their daily prayers, and refer to it for all their concerns.
"Say, [O believers], "We have believed in God (The Creator) and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." (Qur’an 2:136)
"But they who believe in God and His messengers and do not discriminate between any of them - to those He is going to give their rewards. And ever is God Forgiving and Merciful."(Qur'an 4:152)
- Islam calls for befriending people of other religions
When we study the Qur'an, we should keep in mind that a particular issue may be discussed over several chapters or verses in the same chapter. We can get the complete understanding only by reviewing how the issue is presented over all the chapters and verses, not by looking at one part of the Qur'an and taking the verse out of context.
To understand the relationship with Jews, Christians or people of any other faiths, we have to study all the relevant verses from the Qur'an collectively.
"God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly." (Qur’an 60:8)
"O you who believe! Take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport, - whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but remain conscious of God, if you are (truly) believers." (Qur'an 5:57)
Qur'an makes it clear again, who are not to be taken as friends and supporters.
"God only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers." (Qur'an 60:9)
From the above verses, we can understand that we are only discouraged from taking as supporters those who fight Muslims because of religion or drive Muslims from their homes. God tells us throughout the Qur'an that there are righteous Jews and Christians. As such there is no prohibition for Muslims to be friends with Jews, Christians or people of any other faith who are of good character.
"Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous."(Qur’an 3:113-114)
"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), those who believe in God, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to God. They will not sell the Signs of God for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and God is swift in account." (Qur’an 3:199)
"Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad] - those [among them] who believed in God and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve." (Qur'an 2:62)
- Islam encourages the application of logic and reason
No blind faith in Islam. The Qur'an calls upon Muslims to observe the world around them and reflect, so that they might appreciate the majesty of God's creation.
"Verily, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships which sail through the sea with benefits for people, and what God has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby "to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every creature, and in His directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason." (Qur'an 2:164)
Islam calls on people to study space and earth and to meditate on creation in order to arrive at the existence of God.
"He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Verily, in that are signs for people who reason."(Qur'an 16:12)
"The heaven, we have built it with power. Verily, we are expanding it."[6](Qur’an 51:47)
"And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away. And We brought forth for you thereby gardens of palm trees and grapevines in which for you are abundant fruits and from which you eat." (Qur’an 23:18-19)
"Do you not see that God sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs [and rivers] in the earth; then He produces thereby crops of varying colors; then they dry and you see them turned yellow; then He makes them [scattered] debris. Indeed, in that is a reminder for those of understanding." [7](Qur’an 39:21)
"Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? "[8](Qur’an 21:30)
"We have placed in the ground (mountains) standing firm, so that it does not shake with them." [9] (Qur’an 21:31)
"And certainly, did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is God, the best of creators." (Qur’an 23:12-14) [10]
"O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection,[11] then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind."[12] (Qur’an 22:5)
Islam places a high importance of education without any discrimination. The first word of the Qur'anic revelation is "Read."
"Read in the name of your Lord who created." (Qur’an 96:1)
"Are those who know equal to those who know not?" (Qur'an 39: 9)
".. ,God will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge,.." (Qur'an 58:11)
".., it is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear God." (Qur'an 35:28)
"When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ceaseless charity; a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)."[13]
"God makes the way to Heavens (Paradise) easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge." [14]
- Islam relieves the burden of the original sin
"The Prophet Muhammad said, "Every baby is born with a true faith of Islam (as a Monotheist, worshiping His Creator without intermediary 'priest, saint, idol, prophet'). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." [15]
Every child is born sinless. The lesson for humanity when God accepted Adam’s repentance for eating the forbidden fruit is the first instance of forgiveness.
1. Every soul bears the burden of its own sin. This shows the justice of God. Humans cannot be blamed for sins they did not commit, nor can they get salvation if they are evildoers on Earth.
2. No-one is tortured for a sin he did not commit. You do not sacrifice one child to forgive another’s sin. Life is a test and each soul is responsible for his own actions.
"And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to [carry some of] its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative. You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen and have established prayer. And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for [the benefit of] his soul. And to God is the [final] destination." (Qur’an 35:18)[16]
- Islam puts one in harmony with the universe
Islam which is having a direct connection with the Creator is the innate religion of all creatures. All creatures praise The Creator day and night.
"So is it other than the religion of God they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?" (Qur’an 3:83)
"To God prostrate all that are in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings." (Qur'an 13:15)
- Islam invites to modesty and chastity
In a world of increasing moral decline and degeneration of family values, the verses of the Holy Book Qur'an come to solve the problems.
"O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of God's signs, that they may take heed." (Qur’an 7:26)
"Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes (and not stare at the women), and to maintain their chastity. This is purer for them. God is fully Cognizant of everything they do. And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to God, O you believers that you may succeed." (Qur’an 24:30-31)
"O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall lengthen their garments. Thus, they will be recognized (as righteous women) and avoid being insulted. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful." (Qur’an 33:59)
- Islam is based on balance, moderation, mediation and tolerance
"And thus we have made you a median nation that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you….," (Qur’an 2:143)
"For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."(Qur’an 109: 6)
"..., indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive." (Qur’an, 21: 90)
"O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the Mosque. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons." (Qur’an 7:31)
"To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow, let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way. If they do wrangle with you, say, ‘God knows best what it is you are doing. "God will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which you differ.'" (Qur’an 22:67-69)
"May God have mercy on a man who is tolerant when selling, buying, and seeking repayment." [17]
- Islam is a religion of mercy and forgiveness
"In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful." (Qur’an 1:1)
"Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."(Qur’an 39:53)
"The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness."(Qur’an 55:60)
"And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of God is near to the doers of good."(Qur’an 7:56)
"No blame lies on the weak, nor on the sick, nor on those who find naught to spend, if they are sincere to God and His Messenger. There is no cause of reproach against those who do good deeds; and God is Most Forgiving, Merciful." (Qur’an 9:91)
"When those come to you who believe in Our verses, say: Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed mercy upon Himself." (Qur’an 6:54)
"When God decreed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne: My mercy prevails over My wrath." [18]
- Islam calls to equality, unity and fights racial discrimination
Islam honors all human beings regardless of race, color sex or religion.
"And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference." (Qur’an 17:70)
God tests each individual on the basis of their piety and righteousness.
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. Indeed, God is Knowing and Acquainted."(Qur'an 49:13)
"Prophet Muhammad said: "People, your Lord is one and your father Adam is one. There is no favor of an Arab over a foreigner, nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white skin over black skin, nor black skin over white skin, except by righteousness. Have I not delivered the message?" [19]
Unity and Equality is emphasized in many of the Muslim rituals:
1. In prayer Muslims line up in a first come first serve basis. No special pews for dignitaries and royalty.
2. Freeing slaves is an expiation for many sins in Islam.
3. In the Pilgrimage, all Muslim men, regardless of rank or background, dress similarly in a simple white cloth and intermingle with no differentiation in the performance of the Pilgrimage rituals.
Muslims believe that the Ka’aba[20] was the first place of worship built by the first human and first prophet; Adam. It was later rebuilt on the same foundations by Abraham and his son Ishmael who started to circumambulate around the Ka’aba in a counterclockwise motion. Muslims believe that the universe is praising the Creator as well. This shows the unity in the creation of the universe. When Muslims do the Pilgrimage, they circumambulate like Prophet Abraham around the Ka’aba.
Moreover, when Muslims from some part of the world pray to the Creator to the direction of Mecca they join their fellow Muslims praying elsewhere in the world in concentric human circles, they worship God towards the same spiritual center. This means that Muslims pray to their Creator all the time. In other words, when some Muslims finish their 5 minutes’ prayer somewhere, another Muslims start their 5 minutes elsewhere. The prayer timings depend on the sunrise and sunset and they concurrently occur with the movements of the pilgrims in Makah, which is also consistent with the movement of the universe.
- Islam is the religion of freedom
- Freedom to choose religion, as long as he fulfils his duties to the community.
One of the fundamental rights in Islam is that everyone has the right to choose the religion he wants to embrace.
"There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So, whoever disbelieves in Taghut (Satan and every leader of misguidance) and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And God is Hearing and Knowing."(Qur’an2:256)
- Fighting Slavery
In the pre-Islamic days Slaves were commercial goods, and slavery was an established system. It was a source of sustenance for thousands. To the aristocracy, the number of slaves in the household was a symbol of status. Islam could have used force which may be able to achieve submission but it without doubt will cause animosity. Islam's war against slavery aimed at changing the attitude and mentality of the whole society, so that after emancipation, slaves would become its full-fledged members, without any need of demonstrations, strikes, civil disobedience and racial revolts, to say that Islam waged a war against slavery in which neither sword was resorted to, nor blood was spilled. Islam aimed at striking at the roots of its foe and created allies by arousing the finer instincts of its followers.
Before Islam, slavery was without restrictions. Those who could not repay debts became slaves; war captives were either killed or made slaves. Runaway slaves were hunted like animals, killed or captured. Islam forbade its followers to enslave people on any case.
The source of Slaves before Islam were the following:
Ø The invader could do with the vanquished enemy whatever he liked. He could put the arrested soldiers to death, condemn them to slavery or otherwise keep them under his authority or clutch.
Ø A chief or ruler could enslave, depending on his unchallenged wish, anyone residing under his domain.
Ø A father or grandfather had absolute authority over his offspring. He could sell or gift them away; loan them to someone else, or exchange them with another's son or daughter.
Islam dried up the last two sources completely. No ruler was allowed to treat his subjects or offspring as his slaves. Every individual was bestowed with well-defined rights; the ruler and the ruled, the progenitor and the offspring had to live within the limits prescribed by religion; no one could transgress those limits.
Islam raised the status of a slave to that of a free man; and opened many ways for the emancipation of slaves.
Before slave trade was started on a large scale by the West (when colonization began), wars were the main source of slaves. Islam did not permit wars of aggression. All the battles fought during the life-time of Prophet Muhammad were defensive battles.
In the battles forced upon the Muslims, Prophet Muhammad ordered kind treatment of the prisoners. They could get their freedom if they paid a small ransom, and some with no ransom (some taught Muslim children to read and write as ransom). Strict conditions applied: no mother was to be separated from her child, nor a brother from neither a brother nor.
After that Islam started an active campaign to liberate the slaves, making the liberation of slaves a way of expiation for many sins. If a man failed to fast without any excuse during the month of Ramadan for example, he had in some cases to free a slave for each day, in addition to making up the fast. In addition, a slave had to be freed for every breach of vows, an accidental homicide, for unintentionally killing a Muslim and for many other trespasses.
Islam's objective was to create a society free from this abhorrent system. Thus, any slave woman who bore a child by her master could not be sold and after her master's death, she automatically becomes a free woman. In contrast to all previous customs, Islam ordained that the child born to a slave woman by her master should follow the status of the father. Slaves were given a right to ransom themselves either on payment of an agreed sum or on completion of service for an agreed period.
"..., and those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of God which He has given you..." (Qur'an 24:33)
When a slave wants to get a mutual written contract, the master should accept it. God has made it incumbent upon Muslims to help the slaves achieve liberty.
Islam also ordains that slaves seeking freedom should be helped from the public treasury. Prophet Muhammad and his companions provided ransom for the slaves out of state coffers. The Qur'an recognizes the liberation of slaves as one of the permissible expenditures of alms and charity. When a slave wants freedom, the master has to agree and is directed to help the slave from his own wealth. Slaves should live a respectable life after earning their freedom. Thus, despite a culture based on slavery, Islam laid down the path and legislated the most effective way to end this abhorrent practice.
- Islam is the religion of justice
Islam declared the principle of justice in the treatment of others and maintenance of their rights. Injustice was pronounced as corruption on Earth.
"…, so, fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers." (Qur’an 7:85)
" O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for God, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear God; indeed, God is acquainted with what you do." (Qur’an 5:8)
"Indeed, God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which God instructs you. Indeed, God is ever Hearing and Seeing." (Qur’an 4:58)
"Indeed, God orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded." (Qur’an 16:90)
