Islamic law allowed slavery and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) owned slaves. Critics say Islam therefore endorses slavery.
Slavery existed in every major civilization of the ancient and medieval world, including Rome, Persia, Byzantium and Arabia. Islamic law did permit it, and this page does not pretend otherwise. What the Quran and Sunnah did was to restrict it, regulate how people in bondage were treated, and make freeing them one of the most rewarded acts in the religion.
And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slaveQuran 90:12-13, Sahih International
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment [diyah] presented to his [i.e., the deceased's] family [is required], unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if he [i.e., the deceased] was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.Quran 4:92, Sahih International
Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islām] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.Quran 9:60, Sahih International
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.Quran 24:33, Sahih International
Freeing a slave is the Quran's own description of the steep path of righteousness (Quran 90:12 to 13). It is the expiation required for accidental killing (Quran 4:92) and for other sins, and part of the obligatory charity is set aside for freeing captives (Quran 9:60). Quran 24:33 orders owners to grant a contract of freedom to those who ask for one and to help them pay it.
“Your slaves are your brothers and Allah has put them under your command. So whoever has a brother under his command should feed him of what he eats and dress him of what he wears. Do not ask them (slaves) to do things beyond their capacity (power) and if you do so, then help them.”Sahih al-Bukhari 30, grading: Sahih (in Sahih al-Bukhari). English translation as given on sunnah.com
“He who slaps his slave or beats him, the expiation for it is that he should set him free.”Sahih Muslim 1657, grading: Sahih (in Sahih Muslim). English translation as given on sunnah.com
“Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave.”Sahih al-Bukhari 2517, grading: Sahih (in Sahih al-Bukhari). English translation as given on sunnah.com
Dr. Jonathan Brown and Dr. Abdullah Hamid Ali (Yaqeen Institute) point out that the single word "slavery" covers very different conditions across history, from field labor to soldiers and ministers of state, and that the question should be about exploitation and rights. Their conclusion is that the Shariah aimed to regulate conditions and protect rights. The Prophet's freed slave Zayd ibn Haritha was raised as a son of his household and became a commander. Today no mainstream Muslim scholar argues that Islam requires or justifies slavery, and slavery has been legally abolished in every Muslim-majority country; Mauritania, in 1981, was the last country in the world to abolish it in law.
“‘As for your male and your female slaves, whom you may have; of the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves. Moreover of the children of the aliens who live among you, of them you may buy, and of their families who are with you, which they have conceived in your land; and they will be your property. You may make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession; of them may you take your slaves forever; but over your brothers the children of Israel you shall not rule, one over another, with harshness.Leviticus 25:44-46, World English Bible (public domain)
“If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. Notwithstanding, if he gets up after a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his property.Exodus 21:20-21, World English Bible (public domain)
Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;Ephesians 6:5, World English Bible (public domain)
Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.1 Peter 2:18, World English Bible (public domain)
The Torah allows slaves to be bought from the surrounding nations and passed on to children "forever". It sets no punishment for a master who beats a slave, as long as the slave survives a day or two, "for he is his property". The New Testament tells slaves to obey their masters with fear and trembling, even harsh ones, and nowhere calls for freeing them. In Sahih Muslim, by contrast, merely slapping a slave obliges the master to set the slave free. Critics who accept these biblical passages as scripture, and explain them by their time, should give Islamic law the same hearing.
Quran quotations: Sahih International via quran.com. Hadith quotations: the English translations and gradings shown on sunnah.com. Bible quotations: World English Bible (public domain).