Question about an ayah.

[moho571]

:salam2:

There's an ayat in the Quran that says something to the extent of "it is permissible for you to wed the slave you own with youright hand".

I am a devout Muslim Alhamdulillah so I am not attempting to find faults with the Quran:astag:. I am aware this is most likely due to the context in which the ayat was revealed.

So can anyone give me an explanation of this ayat and any meaning I may have missed? I found it in either Surat Al Baqarah or Surat Imran.

Thank you!

:salam2:

 

[Amir_of_spain]

Always analyse in context...

:salam2:

There's an ayat in the Quran that says something to the extent of "it is permissible for you to wed the slave you own with youright hand".

Wailkium salam.

Many of the ayats and themes of the quran can only be understood if you study the historical events of those times. So this ayat is related to those women captured during war. In todays society/times civilians aren't usually captured after a territory is conquered, but during the medieval period men, women and children were universally considered as 'spoils of war' or part of the booty. Slavery was also a universal established concept in those times, so putting these 2 considerations togather men, women and children could be captured and sold or kept as slaves, again let me remind you that this occurence was global at those times.
The ayat above is refering to those women who have been captured, and belong to you, and is giving a clear ruling, that such women can be married and kept as your wife ie there is no shame in keeping such women as a wife. This is actually a great ayat because it granted those women the full rights just like a 'free' married women would have had. It also helped to put a end to slaverly as marrying was and is still considered a great virtue, so it helped to integrate people into society and establish secure the family environment.

Now todays time, slavery is no longer practised, nor are men, women and children are captured as used as booty in todays warfare. Ultimately its upto the khalifa to decide on whether to free such people or to keep them as slaves or P.O.W. , however many scholars say these verses may not necessarily apply in our times as universally slaverly is over and the rules of booty has also universally been changed and legally adopted by todays nations. I hope this helps answer your question.

Amir

 

[moho571]

Very good answer, thanks!