IT IS WORTH noting here that the Bible has been used as supportive text in favour of slavery. During the civil war of the United States, some would quote the following passages to justify their support for slavery:
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ.189
Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back.190
When a slave-owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner’s property.191
Here, the slaves are told to be so submissive to their masters as Christians obey God. This sharply contrasts with the following teaching of Prophet Muhammadsa:
Slaves are your brothers whom Allah has put under your control, so feed them with the same food that you eat, clothe them with the same clothes you wear, and do not burden them with so much that they are overwhelmed; if you do [need to] burden them, then help them.192
In addition, Prophet Muhammadsa strictly forbade ill-treatment of slaves as illustrated by the following narration:
Abū Mas‘ūdra said, “I was beating a slave of mine when I heard a voice behind me, ‘Know, Abū Mas‘ūdra, that Allah is able to call you to account for this slave’. I turned around and there was the Messenger of Allahsa. I said, ‘Messenger of Allahsa, he is free for the sake of Allah!’ He said, ‘If you had not done that, the Fire would have touched you (or the Fire would have burned you)’.”193
He also said:
If anyone slaps or beats his slave, the atonement due from him [for this act] is to set him free.194
Hence, the Islamic teachings show much more compassion as compared to the Biblical teachings and this especially demonstrates the double standards of some evangelical Christians who venture to criticize Islam on issues like slavery and prisoners of war.