In this post, I will discuss the absurdity of the idea of sex slaves:
Sex with Concubines / Slave Girls:
This is another absurdity that needs to be addressed. The clerics just go on stating that sex with slave girls are allowed. And they would also go on to state that source of slave girls were the women caught during the war.
Lets see how much truth is in the matter of this myth.
- First, the Quran does **NOT** state that source of slaves were ware captives.
- Second: For war captives had a rule i.e.
[8:67]
No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
There is another very important point that needs to be elaborated here. Unlike the common notion, the war captives cannot be held indefinitely i.e.:
[47:4]
If you encounter (in war) those who disbelieve, you may strike the necks. If you take them as captives you may set them free or ransom them, until the war ends. Had GOD willed, He could have granted you victory, without war. But He thus tests you by one another. As for those who get killed in the cause of GOD, He will never put their sacrifice to waste.
Thus the war captives had to be set free in any case. If not during the war, then they are to be freed at the end of the war. Many quranic scholars state this verse as an end to slavery !
Now the word used or IMPLIED to be used for slaves is Malakat Aimanukum
What does it mean ?
It means *those who are rightfully yours* or *those under your oath / agreement*.
The simplest point is that **IF** Ma-Malakat Aimanukum are sex objects to be enjoyed then obviously no one is going to give up the privilege for nothing.
Keeping the same thing in mind, one can see the following verses:
[4:24]
Also prohibited are the women who are already married, unless they flee their disbelieving husbands who are at war with you.* These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain your morality, by not committing adultery. Thus, whoever you like among them, you shall pay them the dowry decreed for them. You commit no error by mutually agreeing to any adjustments to the dowry. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
[4:25]
Those among you who cannot afford to marry free believing women, may marry believing Ma Malakat Aimanukum. GOD knows best about your belief, and you are equal to one another, as far as belief is concerned. You shall obtain permission from their guardians before you marry them, and pay them their due dowry equitably. They shall maintain moral behavior, by not committing adultery, or having secret lovers. Once they are freed through marriage, if they commit adultery, their punishment shall be half of that for the free women.* Marrying a slave shall be a last resort for those unable to wait. To be patient is better for you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Thus Ma Malakat Aimanukum are not something for a free ride.
Another factor that would simply shoot the theory in the foot, (of sex being legal with the slaves), is the verse 24:58.
Obviously we do not have to ask permission for our spouses to see us. There is nothing hidden of us from them. A clear factor that can even be grasped ALSO from the Quran (even if we do not get into the very obvious):
[2:187]
Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.
Following the same logic, we see that in 24:58
[24:58]
O you who believe, permission must be requested by your **Ma Malakat Aimanukum** and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
This shoots the theory of sex with slaves in the foot.
There are a few factors that one must understand in the process. Having women outside the marriage bond that can be sex objects has its points that are contradictory to the general perception and propagated concepts.
1- If a woman can be acquired as a slave that can be a sex object then there is no point in marrying such a woman and paying her the due dowry.
The next question can be then what is the real definition of Ma Malakat Aimanukum.
A few observations of the usage of Ma Malakat Aimunukum reveals that, it has been used to mean multiple entities at a time.
1- In 4:3 the MMA (Maa Malakat Aimunukum) has been used for the FIRST wife or the wife you already have.
2- In 4:25 MMA is referred to some women who are in a transition towards better life / morals.
3- In 24:58 it refers to servants.
4- In 33:50 they are the women who give themselves to the prophet by forfeiting their dowry.
Thus in my opinion a more viable explanation is that the Ma Malakat Aimanukum were the women who fled the enemy camp and came to the believers for refuge. They were given to their guardians where they were being educated to the norms of the Islamic society and behavior.
[60:12]
O you prophet, when the believing women (who abandoned the disbelievers) to seek asylum with you pledge to you that they will not set up any idols besides GOD, nor steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, nor fabricate any falsehood, nor disobey your righteous orders, you shall accept their pledge, and pray to GOD to forgive them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
