Islam Forbids slavery

Though there are numerous translations as Arabic is such language where the words are derived from their root words which comprises as 3 letters generally... so for one word there can be more than one meaning.. though all will be similar.. but vary a bit..

So Lets start..

First you should understand...Quran came in stages and was in such a way that people did not get shock and refute it at once.. for Allah knows the psychology of man very well.. so like alcohol..slavery also was taken up in stages.. as these were evil that people had been following for really long.

Lets see what the Quran says abt it coming in stages..

Those who reject Faith say: "Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus (is it revealed), that We may strengthen thy heart thereby, and We have rehearsed it to thee in slow, well-arranged stages, gradually. (25:32)
(It is) a Quran which We have divided (into parts from time to time), in order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages. (17:106)
It is We Who have sent down the Quran to thee by stages. (76:23)

Now

Those who says that "Islam permits Slavery" generally quotes verses 23:5-6 and 70:29-30 and claimed Quran permits sex with slaves (So slavery is allowed)... but here it is used slaves (actually captives) may be in terms of those captured in war or may be those who were already been there as slaves (this I am quoting for argument sake but keeping in mind it might have been said as Quran wanted it to be phased out gradually ...) Both those verses are supposed to be revealed in Mecca in around middle phase.

Just see the beauty.. of the verses.. how gradually the Quran is trying to take out evils.. (its better to read the verses before 23:5-6 and 70:29-30)..It starts with avoiding things that are lewd but yet not banning slaves outright...

One might be aware .. intoxicant and sex are not that easy to give up as they are addictive...so it is asked.. to avoid sex..with others except ur spouse and may be slaves.... which u will see later.. how Quran phases out even the slaves from using as sex object...

First see these verses that talks abt Treating slaves well

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;- (4:36) (revealed within first 4 years of migration to Medina)

Now see how Quran goes further to help free slaves or even marry them

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing. (2:177) (revealed within first 2-3 years of migration to Medina)

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 his freedom......(5:89)

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 before they touch each other: Thus are ye admonished to perform: and God is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. (58:3)

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) (24:33)

Now see how Quran asks you to marry them:

If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. (4:3)

If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And God hath full knowledge about your faith. (4:25)

Now..I think we have a better understanding.... now if any person who wants to create distortion and unrest in the community and to wants to take advantage of reading only a line from the Quran and not taking a wholistic view...and trying to claim they are master of the immense knowledge and twist and turn the meaning to try to spread hatred... Sorry..we cant help it.. it will only show their narrow mentality..

If you heart is pure.. you will search for the right answer and pick up the best answer for the welfare of the society.

You can miss quote the following verse very easily if you want..." Kill who ever comes in front of you, if he has come to kill you, inorder to protect yourself "

Now you can try and twist the meaning of this verse.. telling I am asking you to kill anyone..or you can take the meaning.. in self defense you can kill.. its upto you...

God Bless you...