ABDUL-LATIF MUSHTAHARI

Slavery is officially against the civil law in all nations including Muslim countries. However, nothing in Islamic law prohibits slavery. Those who would have Sharia law often forget that slavery would then be legal PROVIDED the slaves are not Muslims. The legal prohibitions against slavery are not enforced in a number of countries including Saudi Arabia. Even officially slavery was legal in that country until the early 1960s. Apologists for Islamic slavery point out that it is very humane and any individual who wants to be free can be just by becoming a Muslim. He is then no longer able to be held in slavery. They justify the practice as it encourages non believers to become Muslims, the most important goal.

Slavery is officially against the civil law in all nations including Muslim countries. However, nothing in Islamic law prohibits slavery. Those who would have Sharia law often forget that slavery would then be legal PROVIDED the slaves are not Muslims. The legal prohibitions against slavery are not enforced in a number of countries including Saudi Arabia. Even officially slavery was legal in that country until the early 1960s. Apologists for Islamic slavery point out that it is very humane and any individual who wants to be free can be just by becoming a Muslim. He is then no longer able to be held in slavery. They justify the practice as it encourages non believers to become Muslims, the most important goal.