The Importance of Kindness to Slaves and Servants in Islam

Treating Those in Your Care with Compassion and Respect

BEING KIND TO SLAVES AND SERVANTS

ALLĀH said,

وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ

And ˹be good to˺ those whom your right hands possess

This is an order to be kind to them because they are weak, being held as captives by others.

An authentic Hadith records that;

During the illness that preceded his death, the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ continued advising his Ummah: “(Protect) the prayer, (protect) the prayer, and (those slaves) whom your hands possess.” He was repeating it until his tongue was still.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Miqdam bin Madykarib said that the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said: “What you feed yourself is a charity for you, what you feed your children is charity for you, what you feed your wife is charity for you, what you feed your servant is charity for you.”

An-Nasa’i recorded this Hadith which has an authentic chain of narration, all the thanks are due to ALLĀH.

Abdullah bin Amr said to a caretaker of his: “Did you give the slaves their food yet?”

He said, “No.”

Ibn `Amr said, “Go and give it to them, for the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said: “It is enough sin for someone to prevent whomever he is responsible for from getting their food. ” {Muslim}

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “The slave has the right to have food, clothing and to only be required to perform what he can bear of work.” {Muslim}

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “When your servant brings meals to one of you, if he does not let him sit and share the meal, then he should at least give him a mouthful or two mouthfuls of that meal or a meal or two, for he has prepared it.”

This is the wording collected by Al-Bukhari.

{Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr}

Sheikh Abdur-Rahman As-Sa’di said:

“This phrase “what your right hands possess” may also include livestock and beasts of burden; kindness to them includes making sure that they have enough, not overburdening them, helping them with whatever tasks they are assigned, and disciplining them in a way that is in their best interests. The one who does these things as enjoined is the one who is truly submitting to his Lord, showing humility towards the slaves of ALLĀH and adhering to the commands and laws of ALLĀH. This is the one who deserves the great reward and praise. The one who does not do that is a person who is turning away from his Lord, failing to submit to HIS commands and is not showing humility towards other people; rather his attitude is one of arrogance towards the slaves of ALLĀH, and he is filled with self-admiration and boasting about what he says.”

{Tafsi‌r As-Sa’di}

#ibnkathir #sadi #nisa (4:36)