Why were Muslim men allowed to sleep with their female Captives of War in Islam?

Why did Allah Almighty make lawful for Muslim men to have sexual intercourse with the married women whom are captives of war?

The sections of this article are:

1-   Why did Allah Almighty make lawful for Muslim men to have sexual
       intercourse with the married women from the captives?
2-   The reasons behind why Allah Almighty allowed such a law.
3-   In Islam, the Muslims have to be very kind to their slaves.
4-   Can a slave request his freedom from his Muslim owner?
5-   Captivity was really brutal before Islam among the Pagans and the
       teachings of the Bible.
6- Does the Bible order its followers to inherit the slaves and their children?
7-   The entire Bible is corrupted anyway according to its Theologians!
8-   Can a Muslim man rape his slave woman?
9-   Can a Muslim man rape his domestic maid girl?
10- Response to the "Proofs" that men can rape their slave-girls in Islam.

Let us look at the following Noble Verses from the Noble Quran:

"Prohibited to you (For marriage) are:- Your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters, Mother's sisters; brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (Who gave you suck), foster-sisters; your wives' mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- no prohibition if ye have not gone in;- (Those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past; for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;-

Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath God ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and God is All-knowing, All-wise. (The Noble Quran, 4:23-24)"

The definition of the term "right hands possess" is "Captives of war". Those from among the population of the tribes who fought the Muslims are considered "right hand possessions" if their tribe is defeated and captured.

We first need to understand that back 1400 years ago, when Islam was growing among the Pagan Arab Tribes, the Muslims were at constant wars with the Pagans. The Pagan tribes highly objected to the presence and the rapid growth of Islam, and they all united to fight Islam and finish it once and for all.

During those days, the Muslims did not have any government. Governments provide welfare and protection to people. Back then, and when there was no Islamic Government yet, the Muslims were their own country and were their own government. Everyone had to share in the responsibility DIRECTLY by sheltering the captives of wars at their homes.

The reasons behind why Allah Almighty allowed such a law:

The following was sent to me by brother Zakaria B Hj Mokhtar; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him.

Assalamualaykum,

Brother Osama,

I'm referring to your justifications that Allah Almighty had made lawful for Muslims to have sexual intercourse with the married women whom are captives of war. According to a footnote of a Malay translated Holy Quran by H. Zainuddin Hamidy and Fachruddin, Klang Bookstore, Malaysia, 1955, with reference to sura 33:26,

[al-Ahzab 33:26] And He brought those of the People of the Scripture who supported them down from their strongholds, and cast panic into their hearts. Some ye slew, and ye made captive some.,

the footnote read as follows:

'The punishment toward (the Jewish tribe) Banu Quraizah who betrayed and assisted the allies was handed down by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him to Sa'ad bin Mu'ads. The verdicts: They were sentenced to death, the women were made slaves (captives), and their lands were divided among the Muhajirins. The decision was made as such based on the laws of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 20:13-14

'13 And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:

14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

Thank you.

In Islam, the Muslims have to be very kind to their slaves:

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him ordered his followers to be kind to their slaves: Narrated Al-Ma'rur: At Ar-Rabadha I met Abu Dhar who was wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a similar one. I asked about the reason for it. He replied, "I abused a person by calling his mother with bad names." The Prophet said to me, 'O Abu Dhar! Did you abuse him by calling his mother with bad names You still have some characteristics of ignorance. Your slaves are your brothers and Allah has put them under your command. So whoever has a brother under his command should feed him of what he eats and dress him of what he wears. Do not ask them (slaves) to do things beyond their capacity (power) and if you do so, then help them.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Belief, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 29)"

To me, this Saying by our beloved Prophet means a lot. It proves that not only to treat with kindness those who fought us bloody battles and tried to destroyed Islam once and for all, and caused so much deaths for Muslims, but to also treat them as BROTHERS/SISTERS, and to feed them from the same food that we eat from and to dress them from the cloths that we wear. This is quite respectful to humanity and to mankind.

Also, Allah Almighty encouraged the Muslims to liberate Slaves and the Captives of Wars (right hands possessions) whenever possible. Let us look at Noble Verse 4:92 "Never should a believer kill a believer; but (If it so happens) by mistake, (Compensation is due): If one (so) kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensation to the deceased's family, unless they remit it freely. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (Is enough). If he belonged to a people with whom ye have treaty of Mutual alliance, compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to God: for God hath all knowledge and all wisdom." In this Noble Verse, we see that Allah Almighty ordered to free a believing slave if a Muslim accidentally kills another Muslim. This Noble Verse came to encourage Muslims to liberate slaves.

Let us look at Noble Verse 5:89 "God will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave [either a believing or non-believing slave] his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth God make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful." This Noble Verse is also another proof that Allah Almighty did encourage Muslims to liberate slaves.

Let us look at Noble Verse 58:3 "But those who divorce their wives by Zihar, then wish to go back on the words they uttered, (It is ordained that such a one) should free a slave [either believing or non-believing slave] before they touch each other: Thus are ye admonished to perform: and God is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do." This Noble Verse is another proof that Allah Almighty did encourage Muslims to liberate slaves.

There are more Noble Verses that push for the liberation of slaves. But the above Noble Verses should be sufficient enough to prove my point.

Can a slave request his freedom from his Muslim owner?

The Noble Quran not only allows slaves to request their freedom from their Muslim masters, but also orders the Muslim masters to pay the slaves money to help them stand on their feet and to be able to face life with a good jump start.

Let us look at Noble Verse 24:33 "Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which God has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them)," In this Noble Verse, we see that if a slave requests his freedom from his Muslim master, then his master not only must help him earn his freedom if there is good in the Slave, but also pay him money so the slave can have a good start in his free life.

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him also said:

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: "The Prophet said, "Give food to the hungry, pay a visit to the sick and release (set free) the one in captivity (by paying his ransom)." (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Food, Meals, Volume 7, Book 65, Number 286)"

Islam came to liberate all slaves and to end the Judeo-Christian and Pagan slavery that was practiced before Islam. When Allah Almighty made lawful for the Muslim men to have sex with their slave women, He did it to keep the Islamic society back then during Islam's weak, partial and venerable times under control.

Now that after we've seen how Islam orders the Muslims to free the slaves whenever it is possible and also whenever the Slave requests his/her freedom, and to treat them as our brothers and sisters, then it is quite obvious that Islam is a religion that DOES NOT LIKE SLAVERY AND ENSLAVING PEOPLE.

We can now look at how Muslims can live with their Captives of Wars to understand the situation better. Back in those days, in most cases of battles, the defeated tribe would have lost many of its men in the battle field, leaving behind the elderly, women and their children.

Everyone is now living under the Islamic ruling. Islam is never to be forced upon any human being; "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error....(The Noble Quran, 2:256)" Also "Say, 'The truth is from your Lord': Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it)....(The Noble Quran, 18:29)" Every captured Pagan Arab had the freedom to continue following his/her religion as they wish. However, since now they lived under the Islamic ruling, and they showed a great deal of offense to the Muslims, by declaring wars on the Muslims along with the rest of the Arab Pagan tribes, and lost so many of their men and money for the war, then their situation now is quite different.

For those of the Pagans who could afford to pay "Jizya" or "Taxes", then they would not be Captives of War and their life would continue as it was. However, for those who could not afford to pay "Jizya" or "Taxes", then they would be taken as Captives of War. They would serve the Muslims and the new ruling that they live in, until they bring back the losses that they brought to the Muslims.

Keep in mind that Allah Almighty allowed for the Captives of Wars to request and be granted their Freedom as shown in the Noble Verse 24:33 above.

Those Captives of Wars while living with the Muslims, would be treated with kindness. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him described them as the MUSLIMS' BROTHERS/SISTERS as shown in the Saying above and the Muslims must feed them from the same food that they eat and dress them from the same cloths that they wear. But since they are now living in captivity to make up for the damage that they caused to the Muslims from money and lives, they can be treated as slaves, and in slavery, the master can sleep with any of his women that he desires.

Also, in the Bible's Deuteronomy 20:13-14, in which it clearly gives orders to kill all the men and to take all of the women and children as slaves. No where in the Noble Quran do we have any order to kill any innocent life.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

Captivity was really brutal before Islam among the Pagans and the teachings of the Bible:

Rabbi Joseph said: 'Come and hear. A maiden aged 3 years and a day may be acquired in marriage by coition.' Mishnah: A girl of the age of 3 years and a day may be betrothed, subject to her father's approval, by sexual intercourse. ...Gemara: Our Rabbis taught: 'A girl of the age of 3 years may be betrothed by sexual intercourse.' "

Please visit Girls having sexual intercourse at the age of 3! According to the Jewish Holiest Book, the Talmud.

Also, the Bible clearly allows for fathers to sell their daughters as slaves: "And in case a man should sell his daughter as a slave girl, she will not go out in the way that the slave men go out. If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master so that he doesn't designate her as a concubine but causes her to be redeemed, he will not be entitled to sell her to a foreign people in his treacherously dealing with her. (Exodus 21:7-8)"

Islam prohibits such awful acts to be done to little babies of that age, because Allah Almighty said clearly in the Noble Verse where He permits Muslim men to have sexual intercourse with their Captives of War to "desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them...(4:24)"

Also, according to Islam, a girl is not allowed to have sexual intercourse, nor to get married before she has her first period and is capable of getting pregnant. A girl according to Islam can not be called a "Woman" or a young "Woman" until she has her first period and is capable of getting pregnant. Notice that in Noble Verse 4:24, Allah Almighty is clearly talking about "Women" and not just "Females". Also, no sexual intercourse experience can be practiced with either kids or men.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

Does the Bible order its followers to inherit the slaves and their children?

Let us look at Leviticus 25:44-46 "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly."

What kind of a human value does the Bible give to slaves? If slaves and their children must be inherited and passed down to newer generations as slaves, then how in the world will they ever gain their freedom? Does the Bible believe in Freedom? Does the Bible believe in liberating human beings from slavery? Apparently it does not!

As we've seen above, Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran allows for slaves to request their freedom from their Muslim Masters and be granted their freedom and be given money on top of it to help them get a good jump start in life. The Bible on the other hand, orders for slaves and their children to be inherited forever.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

The entire Bible is corrupted anyway according to its Theologians!

We must know that the Bible can not be trusted. Let us look at what the Theologians and Historians of the NIV Bible say about the books of the Bible, and how they were corrupted by the scribes:

"...portions of the book were probably added by scribes or editors from later periods of Israel's history... (From the NIV Bible Commentary, page 183)"

(www.answering-christianity.com/authors_gospels.htm)

Please visit this site to see detailed quotes from the NIV Bible's Theologians and Historians admitting that most of the Bible's books and gospels were indeed corrupted by men and were not True Revelations from GOD Almighty.

The Jewish scribes had very badly corrupted the Bible and turned it into a big lie. That is why GOD Almighty said:

"`How can you say, "We [the Jews] are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?' (From the NIV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)"

"How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. (From the RSV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)"

In either translation above, we clearly see that the Bible has too many narrated stories and man-made cultural laws that were inserted into it that were not Divine Revelations from GOD Almighty. The following sites have tons of details that prove that [1], [2], [3], [4].

It's quite obvious that the Bible is more like a man made cultural book than a divine book that is meant to be for all times and all places. Anyway, the Bible was not even written by its original authors. That is why you see things such as "And Moses went up to the mountain...." instead of "And I [Moses] went up to the mountain....", or "And Jesus said to Matthew...." instead of "And Jesus said to me [Matthew]...." Most of the Books and Gospels of the Bible were written by third party people that were not even chosen by GOD, which makes the Bible just a cultural history book rather than a divine book from GOD Almighty. Please see Question #3 to see why Allah Almighty allowed for the Bible of today to be corrupted.

Can a Muslim man rape his slave woman?

Below are three English translations to the Noble Verse where Allah Almighty commands the Muslim men to not force their slave women into sex.

The following translations were taken from http://mama.stg.brown.edu/webs/quran_browser/pqeasy.shtml

Translation: Yusufali:
"Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which God has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them), (The Noble Quran, 24:33)"

Translation: Pickthall:
"And let those who cannot find a match keep chaste till Allah give them independence by His grace. And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), write it for them if ye are aware of aught of good in them, and bestow upon them of the wealth of Allah which He hath bestowed upon you. Force not your slave-girls to whoredom that ye may seek enjoyment of the life of the world, if they would preserve their chastity. And if one force them, then (unto them), after their compulsion, lo! Allah will be Forgiving, Merciful. (The Noble Quran, 24:33)"

Translation: Shakir:
"And let those who do not find the means to marry keep chaste until Allah makes them free from want out of His grace. And (as for) those who ask for a writing from among those whom your right hands possess, give them the writing if you know any good in them, and give them of the wealth of Allah which He has given you; and do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, when they desire to keep chaste, in order to seek the frail good of this world's life; and whoever compels them, then surely after their compulsion Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (The Noble Quran, 24:33)"

In all three translations, we clearly see that if the slave woman desires to keep chaste, then her Muslim master must not compel her into sex. It might sound odd to us today, but pagans back then were used to having sex with and raping their slave girls, even the ones who were married.

I was told by a Muslim scholar before along time ago that the Arab pagans used to sometimes offer their wives for several nights to the rich and powerful men in the tribe to win their support and make them become more secured in the monopolizing and unmerciful pagan society.

So to women back then, it was something normal for a married slave woman to sleep with her master. It was something normal in the society at that time.

Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran not only allows for the slave man or woman to earn their freedom from their Muslim master, and receive money from their Muslim master to help them start their free life, but also commands the Muslim men to not compel their slave women into sex.

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him also said:

Also, if any compulsion was made unto the slave woman, then Allah Almighty will add more mercy and forgiveness unto her in the Day of Judgement. Below is the commentary on this exact section and point in Noble Verse 24:33 by Minister (Sheikh) Abdullah Yusuf Ali; may Allah Almighty rest his soul:

"The poor unfortunate girls, who are victims of such a nefarious trade (i.e., slave trade), will yet find mercy from Allah, whose bounties extend to the lowest of His creatures." [2]

There are other Noble Verses in the Noble Quran where Allah Almighty grants forgiveness and mercy to those who had been forced into illegal things:

"He hath only forbidden you Dead meat, and blood, And the flesh of swine, And that on which Any other name hath been invoked Besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, Without willful disobedience, Nor transgressing due limits -- Then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (The Noble Quran, 2:173)"

"Why should ye not Eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been Pronounced, when He hath Explained to you in detail What is forbidden to you -- Except under compulsion Of necessity? But many do mislead (men) By their appetites unchecked By knowledge. Thy Lord Knoweth best those who transgress. (The Noble Quran, 6:119)"

So the answer to the question is: No, the Muslim man can not rape his slave woman according to the commands of Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran.

Important Note: Please read the "Response to the "Proofs" that men can rape their slave-girls in Islam" section toward the bottom of this article for more proofs.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

Can a Muslim man rape his domestic maid girl?

The following is an email I received from Becky; may Allah Almighty lead her to Islam. Her points are preceded with "Becky-" and my responses are preceded with "Osama-".

Subj:    Deliberate Deception
Date:    12/4/01 8:59:54 AM Central Standard Time
From:    becky@emirates.net.ae (Becky)
To:    ISLM4EVR1@aol.com

Mr. Osama

I have not yet got a reply from you for this mail I am still waiting

Becky- If a young innocent and helpless house maid (domestic helper) wants to preserve her chastity or remain a virgin and keep herself pure Allah says to his followers not to force them to prostitution, however if someone forces them into prostitution or forces them to lose their chastity (rapes them) he can do this heinous crime under the secure knowledge that Allah will be forgiving and merciful,

Osama- Mrs. Becky, I first of all want to apologize for taking 4 months to reply to your email. This sometimes happens when I receive difficult requests.

Now as to Noble Verse 24:33, it doesn't apply to domestic maids today. It was revealed to deal with the captives of war. Please read the "Can a Muslim man rape his slave woman?" section above which I just recently added for more details.

Becky- UNBELIEVABLE If you say that Allah being forgiving and merciful refers to the maid then this would be a sick joke because someone raped or forced into prostitution does not need forgiveness and mercy but and justice and dignity, this is clearly a license and protection offered to the offender.

Osama- This is all fine in our standards today. But if you had to start a religion by yourself as Prophet Muhammad did through the commands of Allah Almighty, and face 365 opposing Pagan Arab tribes, then the situation is quite different.

The Muslims had no Islamic State to take care of their social issues and the Captives of war. Muslims had to divide the responsibility among themselves. It is also important to know that Muslims were much merciful to their slaves than the Jews, Christians and the Pagan Arabs. I don't have to remind you of the Bible's Deuteronomy 20:13-14, in which it clearly gives orders to kill all the men and to take all of the women and children as slaves. No where in the Noble Quran do we have any order to kill any innocent life Becky.

Please visit The Bible is corrupt according to its Historians and Theologians.

Again, please read the "Can a Muslim man rape his slave woman?" section above which I just recently added, to see how Allah Almighty commands the Muslim men to grant the freedom to those slaves who request it and to pay them money on top of it. You will also see how Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to not force their maids into sex. You will also see how Allah Almighty in Noble Verse 24:33 and other Noble Verses grants forgiveness and mercy to those who had been forced into illegal things.

Please visit Human rights and equality in Christianity and Islam.

Becky- Now lets see how the Muslim scholars translating the Quran deal with this issue

Pickthall, an-Nur 24:33
Force not your slave-girls to whoredom that ye may seek enjoyment of the life of the world, if they would preserve their chastity. And if one force them, then (unto them), after their compulsion, lo! Allah will be Forgiving, Merciful.

Shakir, an-Nur 24:33
and do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, when they desire to keep chaste, in order to seek the frail good of this world's life; and whoever compels them, then surely after their compulsion Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Yusufali, an-Nur 24:33
But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them),

The first two translators clearly state that Allah is and will be forgiving and merciful to the offenders, while Mr. Yusufali clearly embarrassed by such an unimaginable prospect tries to escape by twisting his translation to appear like a question is God merciful to them (the offenders)? A sentence cannot be a statement and a question at the same time it has to be only one

1. If the later part of an-Nur 24:33 is a statement then Yusufali has deliberately twisted his translation to look like a question thereby deceiving the reader of the Quran.

2. And if it is a question then both translators Pickthall and Shakir have deliberately tried to malign the name of Allah by making him the protector of those who commit heinous crimes against the most helpless beings on earth

Osama- The Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation is not raising a question. The "is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them)," is referring to the mercy and forgiveness that Allah Almighty will further grant the victim:

"The poor unfortunate girls, who are victims of such a nefarious trade (i.e., slave trade), will yet find mercy from Allah, whose bounties extend to the lowest of His creatures." [2]

Becky- Only one of the two can be correct so please let me know which one and also I dare you to post this on your web site along with the reply you send (if any) in response to the above.

Osama- All three translations are the same Becky, with the exception that Abdullah Yusif Ali translation is clearer. As to your challenge for me to post your email, I hope I satisfied it for you.

A good answer from brother Maalik Adib to Becky; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him:

From: "maalik adib" <maalik@nycap.rr.com>
To: <truthspeaks@answering-christianity.com>
Subject: Your answer to Becky
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 12:42:22 -0500

As-salaamu alaikum:

Akhi, I just read your response to "Becky" and you seemed to have left out one very important fact. The mercy and forgiveness mentioned in the Ayah is for the women who are forced into prostitution not the men.

Becky herself quotes the Yusuf Ali translation. I have never seen a Yusuf Ali translation not accompanied with the commentary and even in the commentary it clearly states the following (note 2994):

"The poor unfortunate girls, who are victims of such a nefarious trade, will yet find mercy from Allah, whose bounties extend to the lowest of His creature." [2]

When you read the verse in its full context it becomes quite clear who are the subject of the mercy and forgiveness. This is right in line with the Islamic concept of people not be held responsible when they are forced against their will to commit a sin. If Becky has a problem with this reasoning then she can check the following verses of the Qur'aan herself:

In addition, the Qur'aan tells us about those who, by force, renounce their faith in Islam and that they will not be held accountable because they were forced. This is a very clear and well know principle in Islam. Besides the verse is clear anyway.

If further proof is needed, again, she can simply read the Yusuf Ali commentary. If that isn't enough, then she can also read:

Mawdudi's commentary (Towards Understanding the Qur'aan) Vol VI

The Noble Qur'aan

All three of these commentaries are in full agreement. But if she has the Yusuf Ali translation then certainly she has seen the commentary on the verse in question. Unless, like everyone else she is simply repeating what she heard from someone else and never actually read the entire verse at all.

I even read this verse to my wife without mentioning any commentary and she understood that the mercy and forgives is directed at the girls forced into prostitution not the men.

Important Note: Please read the "Response to the "Proofs" that men can rape their slave-girls in Islam" section toward the bottom of this article for more proofs.

Again, in the Bible's Deuteronomy 20:13-14, in which it clearly gives orders to kill all the men and to take all of the women and children as slaves. No where in the Noble Quran do we have any order to kill any innocent life.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

Response to the "Proofs" that men can rape their slave-girls in Islam:

The following two emails I received from Becky; may Allah Almighty lead her to Islam. Her points are preceded with "Becky-" and my responses are preceded with "Osama-".

From:    becky@emirates.net.ae (Becky)
To:    ISLM4EVR1@aol.com
Subj:    Re: From Becky to Osama Abdallah
Date:    4/1/02 7:25:59 AM Central Standard Time

Sorry the translation is by Dr. T.B. Irving

What is your comment about this translation of sura 24:33 by Syed A'la Maududi

Should those whom your right hands control desire their freedom, then draw up such a writ for them if you recognize anything worthwhile in them. Give them some of God's wealth which He has given you. Do not force your girls [whom you control] into prostitution so that you may seek the display of worldly life, if they want to preserve their chastity. Anyone who forces them (to do otherwise) [will find] God is Forgiving, Merciful, even after forcing them to.

link http://isgkc.org/translat.htm

Regards
Becky

From:    becky@emirates.net.ae (Becky)
To:    ISLM4EVR1@aol.com
Subj:    Re: From Becky to Osama Abdallah
Date:    4/1/02 6:47:22 AM Central Standard Time

Mr. Osama

What is your comment about this translation of sura 24:33 by Syed A'la Maududi

link http://isgkc.org/EnglishQuran/sura24.htm

Regards
Becky

Osama- Well since I showed ample proofs from very reliable and most used Islamic translations and interpretations of the Noble Quran that the mercy and forgiveness that Allah Almighty will grant, He will grant it to the victim in the sections "Can a Muslim man rape his slave woman?" and "Can a Muslim man rape his domestic maid girl?" above, and your reliable Islamic sources disagree with mine, then I have one answer for this part in Noble Verse 24:33:

1- Allah Almighty clearly and directly commands the Muslim men to honor their slave women's desire to remain chaste and to not force them into sex.

2- (this is the controversial interpretation part) If a Muslim man however rapes or forces his slave woman into sex, then Allah Almighty will still be Forgiving and Merciful (to her according to my sources), (to him according to your sources).

My acceptance of your reliable sources Becky would come with one addition:

Even though Allah Almighty wanted the Muslim men to honor their slave women's desires to refusing to have sex, but He at the same time did not deprive the Muslim men the right from having sex with their slave women when they desire them. If all of the man's slave women desire to not have sex with him, and he is prohibited to enter upon any of them because of that, then this would be a total deprivation for the man and his rights. So, if a man makes it clear to the slave woman or women that he could and would have sex with them if he desires them, and uses some physical force if he needed to, then the message will be sent clearly to the women and he will find Allah Almighty Forgiving and Merciful for him.

However, if the man abuses his power, and forces himself upon his slave women excessively, then he is violating Allah Almighty's command to honor the women's desires to remain chaste.

I must remind you that Islam came to end slavery and Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to grant their slaves their freedom if the slaves requested it:

"Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which God has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them), (The Noble Quran, 24:33)"

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him also said:

Again, I don't have to remind you of the Bible's Deuteronomy 20:13-14, in which it clearly gives orders to kill all the men and to take all of the women and children as slaves. No where in the Noble Quran do we have any order to kill any innocent life.

Please visit Slavery in the Bible.

I hope I made my points clear without errors.

Bibliography:

1- The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an.
Author: Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
Published by: Amana Publications, 10710 Tucker Street, Suite B, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2223 USA.
Telephone: (301) 595-5777.
Fax: (301) 595-5888.
ISBN: 0-91597-59-0 (HC).

2- The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an [1], foot note #2994, page 875.

Further sites to research:

Human rights and equality in Christianity and Islam.

Women in Christianity and Islam.

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