The Concept of Servitude in Islam
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 7150 ):
Q1: It is clearly and distinctly established that Islam came to liberate people, and freedom in Islam, as described by one of the divine scholars, is: to be a slave to Allah and free to all others. We request that you briefly clarify for us the concept of servitude in Islam, and how a slave is liberated from his master, along with everything that branches from that. In addition to that, explain the wisdom behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taking Anas as a servant and taking 'Umar for the boy... etc.?
Volume 1 : The meaning of servitude is submission, humility, and obedience to Allah the Exalted by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, and by observing His limits; in order to draw near to Him, desiring His reward, and fearing His anger and punishment. This is true servitude, and it belongs to Allah alone. As for the servitude of slavery, it is a temporary condition arising from many causes, the root of which is a person’s falling into disbelief, whereby he is taken captive from the disbelievers through legitimate jihad.
As for how a slave is freed from his master? Scholars have explained the causes for this in the book on manumission. Among them is that his master frees him as a means of drawing near to Allah the Exalted, and among them is that he is freed as an expiation for killing or zihar, or the like. As for taking a servant, it is permissible; for it is established in the hadith of Anas and other hadiths. The wisdom in this is attending to the needs of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and assisting him with his personal necessities, and knowing the manners and character traits he possessed. There is no contradiction in this with the exclusive servitude to Allah alone. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: It is clearly and distinctly established that Islam came to liberate people, and freedom in Islam, as described by one of the divine scholars, is: to be a slave to Allah and free to all others. We request that you briefly clarify for us the concept of servitude in Islam, and how a slave is liberated from his master, along with everything that branches from that. In addition to that, explain the wisdom behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taking Anas as a servant and taking 'Umar for the boy... etc.?
Volume 1 : The meaning of servitude is submission, humility, and obedience to Allah the Exalted by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, and by observing His limits; in order to draw near to Him, desiring His reward, and fearing His anger and punishment. This is true servitude, and it belongs to Allah alone. As for the servitude of slavery, it is a temporary condition arising from many causes, the root of which is a person’s falling into disbelief, whereby he is taken captive from the disbelievers through legitimate jihad.
As for how a slave is freed from his master? Scholars have explained the causes for this in the book on manumission. Among them is that his master frees him as a means of drawing near to Allah the Exalted, and among them is that he is freed as an expiation for killing or zihar, or the like. As for taking a servant, it is permissible; for it is established in the hadith of Anas and other hadiths. The wisdom in this is attending to the needs of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and assisting him with his personal necessities, and knowing the manners and character traits he possessed. There is no contradiction in this with the exclusive servitude to Allah alone. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.