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The term "right hand possesses"

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N. Truth Seeker
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« on: February 15, 2022, 03:10:52 pm »



As-Salam Alaykom everyone.   We already have a post on this topic The Quranic expression "right hand possesses" and also Slavery and its abolition in the light of the Quran by Sister Zainab, very comprehensive and to-the-point pieces. 

I need a more detailed write-up on the topic "right hand possesses" with references to the Noble Quran and historical connotations.  In regard to this expression there was a question and a future topic pending for our virtual fortnightly discussion, debating if the terms "sex-slave" or "concubine" is the same as “right hand possesses.”  This discussion is due to be held about ten days from now, Insh'Allah.  It would be very helpful if I can get some additional analysis with greater details.

Jazek'Allah khair.
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Heba E. Husseyn
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« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2022, 03:49:00 pm »



Walaikum As-Salam.    Yeah sure brother, Insh'Allah, I could give some more details.   Just gimme one day to put the points together. 
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« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2022, 03:49:58 pm »



Yes of course  ..... thank you Sister Heba.
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« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2022, 04:48:54 pm »



Alhumdulilah, that sounds good.  Insh'Allah, I would also like to read you input dear Sister Heba.
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« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2022, 06:44:24 pm »



Welcome brother and sister, and Salam again.  I'm back.  My apology for taking two days instead of one as I promised.  Yesterday I didn't get the time to log-in .. was busy comforting a family friend who lost her mom to Covid in her country of origin.  Inna Lilahey wa Inna Elahey Rajoun.   This damn Covid has caused too many heartbreaks.  Only Allah can decide when and how to improve the situation. 


Insh’Allah, I will elaborate on this topic a bit by combining the two aspects – ‘right hand possesses’ and abolition of slavery -  which Sister Zainab already posted earlier. 

First let me clarify that the term “concubine” had different concepts in ancient times and early modern era until the 1960s or so.  In those early times a concubine could either be a free woman living with a man out of wedlock or a slave woman of her male master.  In countries like medieval China, Japan and India, men often took women as concubines whom they considered below the social status of becoming their legally wedded wives.  Later on, in post-slavery times ‘concubines’ specifically referred to mistresses who cohabited with men out of wedlock but were not slaves.  They could leave the men they were living with whenever they desired.  With the passage of time as different classes of feminist movements began popping up, the term ‘concubine’ was viewed as derogatory undermining the empowerment of women.  They were better known as mistresses.  By the 1990s, even the term “mistress” didn’t sound good enough to feminist circles and those who needed their support.  Currently mistresses are known as “common law wives.”  Other than these evolving titles and the increasing social permissiveness that grants greater recognition to ‘common law wives,’ nothing much has changed. 

Having clarified that, let’s move ahead.

The phrase ‘right hand possesses’ in Quranic context alludes to the responsibility that is entrusted to a person.   It has nothing to do with the stereotype image of half naked female slaves serving their male masters as ‘concubines’ in a “harem.”   The word “abd” in Arabic means a slave.  But you will observe that in the Noble Quran whenever the expression “right hand possesses” is used, it does not mention the term ‘abd.’  Instead the Quran uses the term ‘Ma Malakat Aimanukum’ the direct English translation of which is “what your right hand possesses.”  It means “responsibility entrusted to you.”  This is a distinctive feature of the Noble Quran on this topic.  The title itself elevates the status of slaves by addressing the people who own them that their slaves are a responsibility they carry.  And for every responsibility one will be answerable to Allah Almighty in the next world.

Also, the expression “right hand possesses” alludes specifically to slaves taken in the aftermath of a victorious war.    In the case of females taken as captives of war, was certainly not the same as concubinage which is prohibited in the Quran and would be categorized as “zina.” 

The term “sex slave” refers to what occurs today in terms of human trafficking, which of course can be considered strictly prohibited in accordance with Quranic values: “And force not your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek (thereby) the temporary interests of worldly life.” 24:33 An-Nur.


Though a “slave-wife” did not have the same rights as a legally wedded wife, the former was not obligated to a sexual relationship if she decided not to.  That is confirmed in V.24:33. 

Slavery and slave-wives existed as an institution worldwide for centuries if not millenniums.  In the Arabian peninsula it was eradicated after Islam.  In other parts of the world it was abolished much later.  Those Muslims who continued relationships with concubines or mistresses were violating the Quranic Law, they were committing Zina. 

Freeing of slaves is a righteous act for expiation of sins in the Sight of The Almighty.  Refer to Verses 2:177, 90:12-13, 9:60, 24:33 (on emancipation of slaves).   The Prophet’s (pbuh) family had  periodically purchased many slaves only to free them. 

Some unthinking minds may argue that the Quran does not categorically state to free slaves.  The reason for that is already given in Sister Zainab’s posts, so I won’t go over it.   The aspect of freeing slaves is stated repeatedly in the Noble Quran and does very explicitly amount to denouncing the concept of slavery. 

“So when you meet those who disbelieve (in battle), strike (their) necks until, when you have routed them, take them as captives when they are defeated. Then set them free as an act of grace, with or without a ransom, when the battle is over.  This is the Law.”   47:4  Surah Muhammad.

The above Verse asserts that captives or slaves (or prisoners as called in modern times) are only allowed as an aftermath of war for the victorious party, and those captives too must be freed as soon as war is over.  This Verse has a very special connotation to avoiding / abolishing slavery and a clear message for the post-Islamic world that slavery is no more.

Unfortunately and sadly, the generations of Muslims that came after the Revelation of the Noble Quran - which staunchly supports the freedom of slaves with a gradual approach to finish this institution -  didn’t heed the precept of Verse 47:4. 

During pre-Islamic tribal Arabia, slavery was rampant and an accepted social norm.  Soon after the coming of Islam when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established the first nascent Islamic polity in Medinah, slavery was greatly discouraged for the promotion of justice and humanity as underscored in the Noble Quran.  The ideology continued until the time of the Prophet’s (pbuh) immediate successors – the four righteous Caliphs – who were chosen by the Shura.  The practice of slavery was basically re-introduced after the rule of the righteous Caliphs, when the imperial institutions (the hereditary system of governance) arrived.  The culture of slavery was re-initiated in the society, contradicting the values of the Noble Quran.   War prisoners were held as slaves or captives for long periods of time, many permanently, when the Noble Quran categorically forbids that.

The Noble Quran commanded the end of ancient concubinage (culture of slave wives) as a gradual approach included within the wider policy of abolition of slavery, to avoid a sudden anarchic upheaval caused by a spirit of insurrection.  Presentism often overlooks this factor despite many modern leaders adhering to this policy themselves as a measure of caution.   

Another method through which the Noble Quran ended the practice of concubinage (or slave wives) was by allowing free believing men to legally marry believing slave women with the permission of their families and granting them a full dowry during marriage.

“And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. Allah knows best (concerning) your faith. You (proceed) one from another; so wed them by permission of their folk, and give unto them their portions in kindness, they being honest, not debauched nor of loose conduct.”   4:25  An-Nissa.

To wrap up this topic:  Slavery was NOT initiated by Islam as foolishly presumed by lots of young modernists.  Slavery was rife around the world since long, long and long before Islam.  In the Greek society, female slaves were bought and sold like commodities. The Romans perceived women to be slaves by nature without the necessity of being captured at war.  In ancient China and Japan their plight was still worse.  In India where they had (and still have) the caste system – same as apartheid – any woman from the low or lower castes could be picked to serve as a sex-slave to her master for the rest of her life with immeasurable discrimination between herself and other members of her master’s family.

As Sister Zainab has clarified, slavery has now been abolished as a system and thus no man can claim that his ‘right hand possesses’ any woman and have intimate relations with her.  That would be zina (fornication) as per Quranic principles, a grave violation for a Muslim.

I hope the factual details provided in this thread will bring an end to that hackneyed buzzword from uninformed minds concerning this topic, exclaiming “how humiliating!”   I say, common on folks!   Think more carefully of the current world you’re living in before such thoughtless finger pointing.

Think of it carefully:

In regard to "right hand possesses" of former times:  Having a relationship with a slave woman to whom you are officially providing complete financial and moral support (which is incumbent upon you in such a situation) and if children are born they are your legitimate kids with full inheritance rights.   Is that more “humiliating”  OR  ……

Some rake picks up a “chick” on the weekend and dumps her before Monday morning.  Some philanderer gets married, cheats on his wife, flies overseas and messes with underage girls.   Some scumbag tycoon in Texas or Florida sexually harasses his poor Latino maids because he knows they have no choice but to tolerate his depravity.   He flies to Mexico on a long weekend, hires some poor man’s daughter for $15/night;  to appease this bugger, she has to dress like a whore and drink Tequila while he and his buddies relish the scenario.   HOW HUMILIATING IS ALL OF THIS ??    Open your mind and think realistically.   Read the Noble Quran with a realistic mind.  Try to properly educate yourself in world history prior to reading the Quran.  The Final Message is meant for lettered minds, not the unlettered ones.

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« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2022, 03:46:25 pm »


Big thanks Sister Heba.   Very intelligently thought and written, fully inclusive. 

That last paragraph highlighting the indecencies rife in modern times that truly degrade and humiliate women was very frankly exposed.  Thank you.


Last but not least, very sorry to learn of the passing of your family friend's mom.   Inna Lilahey wa inna Elahe rajoun.  Only The Almighty can end the scourge of Covid.
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« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2022, 04:07:23 pm »


Salams all.  I cannot say how much I loved reading this.  Must send it around.  I also linked the two previous posts on 'right hand possesses' and abolition of slavery with this one, so now all three posts on this topic are inter-linked for the benefit of readers.

Inna lilahey wa Inna Elahe Rajoon.  So sorry to learn about the huge loss of your family friend's mom.  In modern times I don't think any pandemic has been handled more carelessly than Covid19  anywhere in this damn, selfish world.


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« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2022, 04:08:25 pm »



Many thanks dear Sister Ruhi.   Allah bless.
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« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2022, 04:09:51 pm »



You're welcome dear Sis Zainab.     Allah bless you too, ameen.
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« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2022, 03:24:10 pm »


Walaykom As-Salam Sister Heba.   Many, many thanks for this very well informed piece.  It will be extremely helpful for me in our discussion session five days from now.  I'm reading it and taking points from it to prepare my project.   Thanks again.

Inna lilahe wa Inna illahe rajoun.    Now after two years, there's hardly any family around the globe that hasn't lost at least one or two of their loved ones or the loved ones in their extended family or circle of friends to Covid.  Those few families who still don't have anyone they know getting sick or dying of Covid are very fortunate. 

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« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2022, 03:25:41 pm »

 

You're welcome brother ts, sis Zainab and sis Ruhi.  My best wishes for your discussion session br. ts, Insh'Allah.

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.   For sure, outsiders are stealing our history and exposure of these distortions are much needed.


Lots of thanks for your kind words on the passing of the elderly lady.  She was such a wonderful person and deeply loving mom to her children.  May The Almighty grant her the best in Jannah, ameen.

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