Islam me Kaneez ka Tasawwur — Tareekhi Haqeeqat
Dr. Israr Ahmad comprehensively explains the historical context of concubines (kanakbainz) in early Islam, differentiating their status from that of wives. He clarifies they were not wives but owned property, lacking the rights and social contract inherent in marriage, nor were they entitled to inheritance. He details their origins as captives of war and how Islam sought to integrate or emancipate them, offering humane treatment and eventual freedom. He highlights the difference between captives of war and enslaving free people, which is strictly forbidden in Islam. Dr. Ahmad further discusses the gradual emancipation of slaves and the eventual abolition of slavery in Islamic societies, citing historical examples of slave dynasties and scholars. He concludes by explaining the reasoning behind Islam’s allowance of captives of war, anticipating a future need for such a system during a major conflict, while emphasizing the prohibition of enslaving free individuals.
