Question
I have encountered several articles claiming that during the time of Prophet Muhammad (sws), the Arabs engaged in looting and the capture of women as spoils of war. These accounts name several prominent Companions (ṣaḥāba) and provide specific references, such as the events involving the Banu Hawazin, suggesting that such incidents did occur. I would like to understand Javed Ahmad Ghamidi’s scholarly stance on these reports. Is it possible that these events are being misinterpreted or that the historical portrayal is inaccurate?
Please elaborate on this.
Answer
Salaam
Thank you for writing to us.
First, it is essential to understand that the institution of slavery was once a global phenomenon; the buying, selling, and enslavement of war captives were accepted international norms. Within this context, when God revealed His guidance to the Prophet Muhammad (sws), the message specifically addressed the issue of slavery. Because the practice was so deeply rooted in society, it could not be abolished instantly. Consequently, Islam adopted a gradual approach to resolving the problem. To understand the specific steps taken to address this issue, please refer to the following two chapters from Javed Ahmad Ghamidi’s Mīzān:
- Slavery: https://www.javedahmadghamidi.com/books/5aa6a4315e891e8f44a45788?chapterNo=6&subChapterNo=2&subChsecNo=9&lang=en
- Captives of War: https://www.javedahmadghamidi.com/books/5aa6a4315e891e8f44a45788?chapterNo=10&subChapterNo=3&lang=en
Regards,
Answered by: Mushfiq Sultan
Date: 2020-07-25
